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FIRE  AND  MARINE 


rhe  Men  Who  Take  Risks 


HISTORICAL  ANT)  BlOORAPllICAL 


ILLUSTRATED 


Chicago 

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Copyrigl^t,  1894,  by 
THE  FIDELITY  PUBLISHING  CO. 


FR  EFACE. 


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The  Publishers. 


1 


ORIGINS  OF  FIRE  AND  MARINE  INSURANCE. 


INSURANCE,  in  the  modern  meaning  of  the  term,  is  entirely  a development  of  modern 
civilization,  and  its  history,  therefore,  cannot  antedate  that  of  such  civilization. 
The  origins  of  insurance  must,  of  course,  be  sought  for  at  a period  much  earlier. 
As  now  constituted,  the  system  and  machinery  of  insurance,  simple  enough  in  their  prin- 
ciples, are  highly  comjdex  and  j)ossible  only  under  the  new  sociological  conditions 
which  have  grown  up  since  the  close  of  the  old  feudal  ages  and  with  equal  step  with 
the  progress  of  mankind  in  the  exact  sciences. 

In  this  introduction  it  will  be  attempted,  however  briefly,  to  trace  the  remote 
and  obscure  origin  of  insurance  and  to  sketch  out  the  enormous  and  rapid  growth  of 
the  system  as  now  applied  to  all  conceivable  forms  of  risk  or  loss.  In  this  examina- 
tion it  will  become  manifest  that  the  modern  bases  upon  which  the  successful  develop- 
ment of  insurance  is  founded  are  to  be  found  in  the  intensely  modern  acknowledgment 
of  the  mutual  interdependence  of  men.  In  olden  times  there  were  but  two  classes 
really;  the  rich  and  ]')owerful,  which  for  the  most  part  was  made  up  of  the  nobles, 
and  a little  later  of  a certain  class  of  ca]htalists,  as  will  be  seen  further  on;  and  of  the 
individuals  subservient  to  these.  In  this  latter  class  must  be  considered  the  individual 
adventurers  in  many  lines  of  business,  for  these  were  each  and  all  in  strong  rivalry 
with  each  other  and  looked  for  protection  in  every  case  to  one  or  more  members  of 
the  former  class. 

The  definition  and  scope  of  insurance  as  it  to-day  exists  will  more  clearly  reveal 
the  truth  of  this  statement.  Insurance  may  first  be  dehned  as  that  system  by  which 
it  is  calculated  to  protect  the  individual  against  losses  to  which  he  may  be  liable 
through  certain  risks  or  accidents  to  which  his  propertv’  is,  in  the  nature  of  things, 
exposed.  As  such  loss  must  in  all  cases  be  measured  in  money,  any  money  loss 
resulting  from  risk  or  accident  is  projrerly  subject  to  be  covered  by  insurance.  This 
crude  definition  of  insurance  has  been  understood  and  admitted  from  the  veiy  earliest 
times  and  it  is  therefore  not  surprising  to  find  almost  all  histories  of  insurance  l>egin- 
ning  with  the  statement  that  it  is  almost  as  old  as  civilization  or  commerce.  In  the 
restricted  sense  of  the  definition  just  given  this  statement  may  be  admitted  as  accurate. 
Hut  there  is  a further  qualihcation  necessary.  The  insurance  or  protection  against  loss 
in  any  given  class  of  risks  should  be  distributed  among  all  of  those  persons  liable  to 
such  risk  and  all  others  should  be  exempt  from  liability  to  pay  such  losses.  It  is  plain, 
therefore,  that,  with  this  addition  to  the  definition  of  insurance,  the  cooperation  of 
large  numbers  of  individuals,  either  engaged  in  a common  business  or  subject  to  the 
common  risk,  forms  the  vital  princijde  which  gives  life  and  success  to  the  whole  system. 
Such  co(")peration  could  not  and  did  not  exist  under  the  old  feudal  system. 

With  the  growth  of  modern  insurance  the  conditions  necessaiy  to  gi^•e  success 
have  been  scientifically  investigated  and  tabulated.  Among  the  most  important  of 


these  are  the  following:  There  must  be  an  actual  risk  of  real  loss.  It  must  be  beyond 

the  power  either  of  the  insured  or  of  the  insurer  to  hasten  or  to  avert  such  loss.  The 
number  of  persons  liable  to  a given  risk  must  be  large.  The  culmination  of  the  risk 
must  fall  upon  a comparatively  small  number  of  such  persons.  The  probability  of  such 
culmination  must  be  possible  of  previous  calculation  to  a close  agreement  with  the 
actual  results.  The  expected  loss  must  be  sufhciently  large  to  be  worth  while  guarding 
against  should  it  occur;  and,  finally,  the  expense  of  such  provision  against  such  possible 
loss  must  be  comparatively  small. 

It  will  be  instantly  seen  that  certain  of  these  conditions  are  in  their  very  nature 
speculative,  and  until  the  laws  of  chance  and  of  probabilities  had  been  investigated  and 
formulated  each  individual  case  of  insurance  rested  almost  exactly  upon  the  grounds 
of  an  ordinary  wager.  Bearing  this  in  mind,  it  is  easy  to  see  where  the  mistake  has 
arisen  of  attributing  great  antiquity  to  the  system  of  insurance.  The  theory  indeed 
may  have  been,  and  doul)tlefes  was,  more  or  less  correctly  known,  even  in  very  ancient 
times,  but,  until  modern  knowledge  had  supplied  all  of  the  required  conditions,  the 
theory  could  never  be  reduced  to  jwactice.  Thus  it  may  be  admitted  that  Demosthenes 
in  one  of  his  famous  speeches  showed  he  understood  the  laws  which  should  govern 
marine  insurance.  That  speech  was  delivered  a thousand  years  before  the  Christian 
era. 

On  the  authority  of  Dr.  John  A.  Fowler,  it  is  stated  that  there  were  govern- 
mental provisions  against  losses  by  accidents  independent  of  marine  risks  previous  to 
and  at  the  time  of  the  Caesars.  This  statement,  however,  is  subject  to  discussion  at 
least.  It  is  largely  based  upon  a passage  found  in  Suetonius,  in  which  he  says  that 
the  Emperor  Claudius  Caesar,  at  a time  when  a famine  was  apprehended,  in  order  to 
encourage  commerce,  assumed  the  payment  of  all  losses  that  might  arise  from  storms. 
Properly  considered,  this  wms  not  in  any  sense  insurance.  It  was  merely  the  exercise 
of  a paternal  protection  voluntarily  assumed  and  subject  to  no  other  law  than  the  good 
will  of  the  monarch. 

While  direct  proof  is  lacking,  there  is  a greater  possibility  that  some  practical 
systems  of  insurance  did  exist  among  the  Hebrews.  At  the  same  time  it  must  not  be 
forgotten  that  the  Jews  lived  under  a system  practically  amounting  to  a community  of 
interests,  in  which  interests,  of  course,  losses  had  to  be  considered  and  jirovided  for  as 
well  as  profits.  It  would  be  as  unfair  to  claim  that  actual  insurance  existed  among 
them  as  it  would  be  to  quote  their  system  of  extinguishing  debts  at  certain  periods  as 
a proof  of  the  claim. 

d'he  excavations  among  the  ruins  of  Babylon  and  Nineveh  have  brought  to  light 
vast  numbers  of  clay  tablets  and  cylinders  covered  with  inscriptions  in  cuneiform  char- 
acters. These  tablets  were  the  documents  of  those  days  and  thousands  of  them  have 
been  translated.  From  these  translations  it  has  been  learned  that  2,500  years  ago 
there  was  a system  of  compensation  for  loss  from  fire  existing  in  Assyria  and  the  Fast. 
Considered  as  compensation  for  a loss  from  a prol)able  risk  and  under  the  first  defini- 
tion of  insurance,  this  system  might  be  called  insurance.  In  every  town  and  district 
the  judges,  priests  and  magistrates  were  emjiowered,  if  satisfied  that  the  fire  was 
accidental,  to  assess  all  members  of  their  district  for  such  an  amount  as  would  make 
up  the  loss  incurrc'd.  This  system  of  communes  is  said  to  still  exist  in  a modified 
form  in  China,  and  in  certain  towns  in  Russia  citizens  are  now  held  jointly  liable  for 
losses  from  accidental  fires  and  the  Government  enforces  contribution  from  all,  arbi- 


F r R E A X I ) M A R I N E. 


t 


trarily  fixing  the  individual  contribution  according  to  the  wealth  or  position  of  each 
property  holder.  From  the  clay  tablets  spoken  of  it  has  been  found  that  the  collection 
of  contributions  to  pay  such  losses  was  often  assumed  by  the  bankers  of  those  times, 
and  there  exists  a most  curious  tal)let  which  shows  that  one  of  these  firms  had  existed 
continuously  for  full  600  years  and  the  document  is,  oddly  enough,  dated  from  “The 
Great  Fire  of  Babylon.” 

Coming  down  to  more  modern  times,  it  is  not  surprising  to  find  attempts  at 
insurance  against  loss  first  among  marine  risks.  The  sea  was  a vast  and  terrible 
mystery,  stretching  away  to  unknown  and  awful  distances,  bounded  by  frightful  walls 
of  darkness  or  of  fiame,  studded  with  islands  inhabited  by  frightful  monsters,  itself  the 
home  of  demons  and  malevolent  beings,  anxious  to  destroy  the  intruder  upon  their 
domain.  These  were  the  unknown  perils.  But  there  were  the  known  dangers  of  storms, 
of  pirates,  of  hostile  nations,  of  drowning,  of  hidden  reefs,  of  fire,  and  of  utterly  losing 
one’s  way  amid  its  trackless  wastes.  The  value  of  the  ship  and  of  the  cargo  which  it 
carried  was  always  very  considerable  and  no  one  better  than  those  old  mariners  knew 
that  it  was  in  every  case  of  a prolonged  voyage  a gamble  whether  such  voyage  would 
ever  successfully  be  made. 

W’hatever  may  be  said  of  insurance,  there  is  no  cjuestion  but  that  the  gambling 
spirit  has  always  existed  among  men  and  it  would  indeed  be  strange  if,  for  the  payment  of 
a given  sum  of  money,  there  had  not  been  found  individuals  who  were  willing  to  agree, 
should  the  vessel  be  lost,  that  they  would  repay  its  value.  Kightly  considered,  such  a 
transaction  was  a bet,  pure  and  simple,  in  which  the  gambler  used  his  own  experience 
as  to  the  jirobability  of  loss  in  making  the  conditions  of  his  bet.  This  being  so,  it  is 
not  strange  that  traces  should  have  come  down  to  us  of  transactions  resembling  in  their 
effects  those  of  actual  insurance. 

The  next  step  in  development  was  naturally  the  making  of  such  bets  a business. 
'I'liis  at  once  elevated  it  to  the  rank  of  a speculation,  and  it  is  fairly  certain  that  such 
business  was  regularly  done  at  a comparatively  early  date  l)y  individuals.  The  earliest 
positive  historical  information  on  the  subject  is  found  in  the  works  of  the  Florentine 
historian,  Villani,  who  died  at  a very  advanced  age  in  the  year  1348.  He  relates  that 
when  the  Jews  were  expelled,  in  1182,  from  France  Ijy  Phillip  Agustus  they  adopted 
some  system  of  insurance  of  their  property.  He  does  not  give  his  authority  for  this 
statement,  but  it  is  evident  that  at  the  time  he  was  writing  insurance  must  have  been 
in  existence  and  well  known  in  Italy.  It  will  be  fair  to  assume,  therefore,  that  in  that 
country,  toward  the  close  of  the  12th  or  beginning  of  the  13th  century,  insurance  was 
either  invented  or  re-discovered. 

At  that  time  the  whole  banking  business  and  oversea  trade  of  Pmrope  was  in  the 
hands  of  the  Lombards,  Jews.  It  is  a matter  of  history  that  the  English  endeavored 
to  exclude  them  from  the  carrying  trade  and  were  unable  to  do  so.  In  this  connection 
it  is  significant  that  the  earliest  known  English  policy,  to  be  hereafter  cjuoted,  mentions 
the  “best  and  most  suerest  pollacie  or  writinge  of  assurance  heretofor  vsed  to  be  made 
in  Lumbard  streete.”  Malyne,  in  1622,  says  that  there  was  a similar  clause  in  the 
Antwerp  policies.  It  may  then  be  fairly  concluded  that  among  the  Lombards  there 
were  individuals  who  were  willing,  for  a stated  sum,  to  assume  losses  from  marine  risks. 
While  the  results  to  the  insured  were  precisely  similar  to  those  of  to-day,  yet,  except 
in  occasional  instances,  the  individual  insurer  or  underwriter  was  not  directly  interested 
in  the  risk  but  voluntarily  took  it  upon  himself  as  a speculative  and  profitable  trans- 


8 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


action.  This  element  of  personal  profit  to  the  insurer  being  the  only  motive  which 
actuated  him  removes  his  transactions  to  a great  distance  from  pure  insurance. 

It  is  not  until  i6oi  that  government  is  found  assuming  to  regulate  the  system 
and  from  that  time  should  the  history  of  insurance  projierly  be  dated.  In  that  year, 
under  Oueen  Elizabeth,  an  act  of  Parliament  was  passed  (43  Elizabeth,  c.  12),  the 
jHU'pose  of  which  was  the  institution  of  a Court  of  Policies  of  Insurance,  to  consist  of 
an  Admiralty  Judge,  the  Recorder  of  Eondon,  two  doctors  of  civil  law,  two  common 
lawyers  and  eight  merchants,  any  five  of  whom  were  authorized  to  hear  and  decide  all 
cases  which  might  arise  in  London.  This  restriction,  and  the  fact  that  after  the  Court 
had  given  its  decision  such  decision  might  be  disregarded  and  the  whole  case  reopened 
in  the  Courts  of  Common  Law,  caused  it  to  fall  into  disrepute  and  be  but  little  used. 
Nevertheless  it  was  in  existence  until  1720,  at  which  time  arbitration  by  private 
agreements  had  completely  taken  its  place.  The  act  begins  by  stating  that  which  it 
has  just  been  seen  is  not  historically  true.  It  says  that  marine  insurance  has  existed 
time  out  of  mind,  “by  means  whereof  it  cometh  to  pass  that  upon  the  loss  or  perishing 
of  any  ship  there  followeth  not  the  undoing  of  any  man,  but  the  loss  lighteth  rather 
easily  upon  many  than  heavy  upon  few  and  rather  upon  them  that  adventure  not  than 
upon  those  who  do  adventure;  whereby  all  merchants,  especially  those  of  the  younger 
sort,  are  allured  to  venture  more  willingly  and  more  freely.” 

This  act  must  Ije  considered  as  the  earliest  legislation  referring  to  insurance,  even 
though  it  be  acknowledged  that  an  act  was  passed  in  1427  by  James  I.  of  Scotland 
entitled,  “The  Leave  to  merchants  to  sure  their  gudes.”  This  act  arranged  for  inspection 
of  buildings  and  material  and  provided  restrictions  against  hay  and  similar  inflammable 
materials.  It  decreed  that  no  fire  or  light  could  be  carried  from  one  house  to  another, 
exce}it  in  covered  lantern  or  vessel,  under  pain  of  outlaw.  It  is  evident  that  this  act 
was  intended  rather  as  a preventive  against  fires  than  as  a measure  providing  for  losses 
from  that  risk.  Nevertheless,  it  is  often  referred  to  as  the  earliest  known  fire  legislation. 

During  all  of  this  j-jeriod,  the  Codes  are  strangely  silent  on  the  subject  of  marine 
insurance.  This  silence  does  not  necessaril}’  imjdy  that  insurance  was  unknown,  and  indeed 
the  mere  fact  of  their  existence  is  an  argument  in  favor  of  the  adoption  of  individual 
underwriting  as  a regular  business,  because  it  is  certain  that  such  persons,  controlling, 
as  the  Lombards  are  known  to  have  done,  the  oversea  trade,  would  naturally  demand 
protective  legislation  against  every  risk  which  might  thus  be  lessened.  Mention  of  these 
Codes  cannot,  therefore,  be  omitted  in  any  history  of  insurance.  The  earliest  of  them 
dates  back  to  about  the  year  looo  and  is  known  as  the  Couso/ato  del  Mare,  Barcelona, 
Spain.  Next  in  chronological  order  is  the  Code  known  as  the  Lazvs  oj  Oleron,  issued 
in  i 1 94  I>y  Richard  I.  of  England.  The  earliest  MS.  of  this  Code  known  is  dated 
1266.  b'ollow  the  Lazes  of  IJ'/sfy,  compiled  about  the  end  of  the  13th  century,  and  the 
Ifanseatic  Lazos,  Lubeck,  1593  to  1597.  All  of  these  Codes  are  purely  navigation  laws 
and  do  not  sj)eak  of  insurance,  but,  inasmuch  as  insurance  is  seen  to  have  been  a matte 
of  private  enterprise  only,  it  is  not  surprising  that  government  records  and  these  Codes 
are  alike  silent  on  the  subject,  and  nearly  the  same  thing,  with  exception,  perhajis,  of 
the  latest,  may  be  said  of  the  following,  the  Oi'dhiazices  oj  Barcelona,  issued  in  1434, 
1458.  i.L)i  and  14*84.  k'ollowing  these  are  found  the  Ordinances  oJ  Llorence,  1523:  the 
Ordi nances  of  Bnro'os,  1538:  the  Ordinances  of  Bilbao,  1560:  Lc  Guidon  dc  la  Mer,  Rouen, 
compiled  between  1556  and  1584,  and  ])ublished  in  1671  by  Cleirac;  the  Ordinance  of 
Middelburo-,  1600:  the  Ordinances  of  Rotterdam,  1604,  1635  '^^55'  I s et  Continnes  de 


FIRE  AND  ^lARINE. 


9 


la  Mcr,  Rouen,  by  Cleirac,  1656.  These  were  all  followed  and  ]:>ractically  summarized 
in  the  magnificent  Ordounancc  dc  la  Marine,  1681.  d'his  superb  Code  was  compiled  under 
the  direction  of  Colbert  in  the  reign  of  Louis  XIV.  of  France  and  is  now  the  basis  of 
English  maritime  law.  It  is  j)athetic  to  note  that  the  name  of  the  author  of  this 
magnificent  work  has  been  forgotten  and  utterly  lost. 

Insurance  itself  furnishes  no  document  earlier  - than  1547.  This  document  is  a 

policy  of  insurance  issued  September  20  of  that  year  on  the  vessel  the  Santa  Maria  de 
Venetia  on  its  voyage  from  Cadiz  to  London.  It  is  written  in  Italian.  It  may  be  said 
here  that  the  term  underwriters,  now  so  familiar,  took  it  origin  from  these  individual 
insurers,  who  began  their  contracts:  “We,  the  underwriters,  etc.,”  and  the  word 

policy  is  derived  from  the  Italian  “polliza,  ” which  means  a promise.  This  in  itself 

indicates  an  Italian  origin  of  insurance.  In  the  records  of  the  Admiralty  Court  there 
is  said  to  exist  an  English  policy  of  insurance  issued  Dec.  6,  1557,  in  London,  and 
covering  the  hull  and  cargo  of  the  ship  Ele  from  \'elis  Maligo  to  Antwerp.  But  the 
first  English  policy  of  which  accurate  information  is  to  be  had  is  one  issued  in  1613. 
The  original  document  is  lost,  but  a coj)y  of  it  was  taken  for  some  purpose,  and,  although 
this  copy  does  not  give  the  amount  of  insurance,  it  does  give  the  form  of  policy,  which, 
strangely  enough,  has  not  varied  essentially  since  that  time.  The  document  referred  to 
is  the  Tanner  MS.  No.  74,  fo.  32,  Bodleian  Library,  Oxford.  This  policy  begins  in 

the  following  language: 

In  the  name  of  God.  Amen,  lie  it  knovvne  vnto  all  men  by  these  presents  that  Morris  Abbott 
and  Devereu.x  Wogan  of  l.ondon  Merchants,  doe  make  assurance  and  cause  themselves  and  euerye  of 
them  to  be  assured  Lost  or  not  Lost  from  London  to  Zante  Petrasse  & Saphalonia  or  any  of  them  upon 
woollen  and  Lynnen  cloth  Leade  Kersies  Iron  A any  other  goods  and  merchandize  heretofore  Laden 
aboard  the  good  Shipp  called  llie  Tiger  of  l.oiulon  of  the  burthen  of  200  touns  or  thereabouts  whereof 
is  master  vnder  god  in  this  present  voyadge  Thomas  Crowder, 

The  risks  to  be  provided  against  are  thus  described: 

Touching  the  Adventures  lV  perills  which  wee  the  assurers  hereafter  named  are  contented  to  beare, 
and  doe  faithfully  promisse  by  these  presents  to  take  uppon  u.s  in  this  present  voyadge  are  of  the  Seas, 
men  of  warr,  fyer,  enemyes  pirratts  rovers  iheeues,  jettezons,  Lettres  of  Marie  & countermarte  arests 
restraints,  & detevnments  of  Kings  & princes  and  all  other  persons  barrtary  of  the  master  A mariners, 
& of  all  other  perills  Losses  A misfortunes  whatsoeuer  they  be 

It  is  a curious  thing  that  this  ship,  the  Tiger,  should  have  been  otherwise  made 
famous  and  immortal.  Shakespeare  refers  to  it  twice;  in  Macbeth  Act.  I.,  Sc.  III.  is 

found.  “Her  husband’s  to  Aleppo  gone,  master  o'  the  Tiger.’’ 

Again  in  Twelfth  Night,  Act.  \h.  Sc.  I.,  he  writes: 

“And  this  is  he  that  did  the  Tiger  board.’’ 

Hakluyt,  that  quaint  old  chronicler  of  travels,  in  his  Wyages  refers  to  this  ship  as 
making  a journey  to  Tripolis  in  1583.  Sir  Kenelm  Uigby,  in  his  Journal  of  1628,  also 
speaks  of  the  same  vessel.  He  s}ieaks  of  “the  Tyger  of  London  going  for  Scanderone.  ’ 

It  will  be  noticed  that  among  the  perils  provided  against  in  this  policy  is  found 
that  of  fire.  It  would  not  need  a very  great  extension  of  the  principle  to  extend  similar 
protection  to  property  on  land  which  should  be  subject  to  this  same  risk.  It  would 
indeed  have  been  strange  had  it  not  been  so.  And  thus  as  a natural  development  of 
marine  insurance,  even  in  the  form  of  individual  underwriting,  came  fire  insurance. 

It  is  generally  said  that  fire  insurance  owes  its  origin  to  the  great  fire  of  London 
in  1666,  but  this,  like  many  other  generally  accepted  statements  in  the  history  of 


10 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


insurance,  is  not  accurate.  It  is  based  upon  a too  hasty  survey  of  some  facts  and  an 
ignorance  or  misapprehension  of  others.  While  it  is  true  that  nearly  all  of  the  ancient 
civilizations  were  found  upon  the  shores  of  the  sea,  and  that,  therefore,  marine  interests 
should  have  among  them  assumed  first  importance,  nevertheless,  there  were  powerful 
aggregations  of  men  inland.  Among  these  might  naturally  be  sought  the  first  traces  of 
fire  insurance.  And  since  it  has  been  found  that  toward  the  close  of  the  12th  century 
the  principal  of  insurance  had  been  rediscovered  or  invented  in  Italy  by  the  Lombards, 
it  is  at  a date  soon  after  this  period  that  such  traces  might  be  expected  to  be  found 
among  the  inland  nations.  Such  active  traders  as  the  Lombards  could  not  have 
neglected  to  have  established  commercial  relations  with  these  peoples.  In  consecjuence 
thereof,  these  last  would  learn  something  of  their  various  business  methods  and  would 
make  such  apjdication  of  them  as  fitted  their  national  or  local  traditions  and  customs. 
The  ground  was  ready  and  prepared  for  some  such  system,  for  it  is  found  that  among 
the  Anglo-Saxon  guilds  the  members  were  recjuired,  among  their  other  duties,  to  make 
certain  fixed  regular  payments  into  a common  fund,  which  fund  was  intended  to  secure  each 
member  against  losses  arising  from  “fire,  water,  rolibery,  or  other  calamities.”  Inasmuch 
as  it  is  known  that  guilds,  or  associations  closely  resembling  these,  were  in  existence 
among  the  Greeks  and  Romans,  it  is  not  impossible  that  similar  provisions  may  have 
existed  among  them  also.  But  this  is  purely  conjectural.  The  first  results  of  the 
influence  of  the  Lombards  may  perhaps  be  found  in  the  year  1240  in  Flanders.  In 
that  year  Thomas  and  Johanna,  Count  and  Countess  of  that  country,  promulgated  a 
set  of  laws  known  as  the  Cora  or  Keure.  Article  XI  of  this  Cora  provided  that:  “In 

whatever  house  a fire  shall  have  been  secretely  made,  the  whole  place  instantly  makes 
good  the  damage  through  those  whom  the  guardians  select.” 

In  1609  a jnoposition  was  made  to  Count  Anthony  Gunther  von  Oldenburg  which 
practically  jn'ovided  lor  an  actual  system  of  fire  insurance.  The  proposer  of  this  plan 
said  that  “as  many  fires  happen  by  which  a great  number  of  people  lost  their  property, 
the  Count  might  lay  before  his  suljjects  the  danger  of  such  accidents  and  propose  to 
them  that  if  they  would,  either  singly  or  united,  put  a value  on  their  houses  and  for 
every  one  hundred  dollars  valuation  pay  to  him  yearly  one  dollar,  he  on  the  other  hand 
would  engage  that  in  case  by  the  will  of  God  their  houses  should  be  reduced  to  ashes, 
the  misfortunes  of  war  exce}Aed,  he  would  take  upon  himself  the  loss  and  pay  to  the 
sufferers  as  much  money  as  might  be  sufficient  to  rel)uild  them.”  The  Count  carefully 
examined  the  scheme  and  concluded  that  a com[)any  composed  of  common  individuals 
might  indeed  be  successfully  formed  to  insure  each  other’s  houses  and  pay  the  losses 
sustained  by  fire.  But  he  was  afraid  to  do  this  himself  lest  avaricious  motives  might 
be  imputed  to  him  and,  still  more  imjiortant  in  his  eyes,  lest  it  might  seem  a tem]')ting 
of  Ifi-ovidence.  He  said:  “God  has  ^vithout  such  means  reserved  and  blessed  for  many 

centuries  the  ancient  house  of  Oldenburg  and  He  will  still  be  present  with  me  through 
His  mercy  and  protect  my  subjects  from  destructive  fires.”  This  idea  that  insurance 
is  a tempting  of  f-rovidence  cropped  up  more  than  once  afterward,  notaldy  in  the  case 
of  William  Penn,  and  indeed  it  is  still  a powerful  obstacle,  particularly  to  life  insurance, 
among  large  numbers  of  individuals  of  these  intensely  modern  and  jiractical  times. 

In  ifj.UT  at  a “W’ardmote  Incpicst"  held  in  London,  the  imjiortance  of  providing 
some  method  or  ajipliances  to  avoid  the  peril  of  fire  was  a matter  of  special  discussion. 
'Pwo  years  later  a petition  was  juesented  to  C'haiies  I.  of  hingland  asking  that  authority 
be  granted  the  }')ctitioner  “to  ensure  all  your  majest}’s  sul)jects  whomsoever  for  soe 


1-1  RE  A XI)  .MARINE. 


11 


much  of  their  estates  combustible  as  they  themselves  shall  conceive  in  danger  of  Fire, 
not  taking  above  12  d.  ])er  centum  yearly  for  soe  much  soe  insured.”  Strange  to  say, 
although  the  original  is  still  preserved  in  the  Record  Office,  the  name  of  the  petitioner 
does  not  ajipear,  but  three  years  later  a closely  similar  }ietition  was  presented  to  the 
same  monarch  by  one  William  Ryley  and  one  Edward  Mabb.  This  petition  was 
referred  to  the  Attorney  (ieneral  for  his  opinion  thereon.  This  opinion  was  entirely 
favorable  and  October  16,  1638,  the  King  granted  these  petitioners  a patent  for  such  a 
company  to  run  for  the  term  of  forty-one  years,  and  ordered  the  Attorney  General  to 
forthwith  prepare  a bill  to  that  effect  for  the  royal  signature.  The  growing  troubles 
l)etwcen  the  King  and  Parliament  seem  to  have  driven  the  matter  out  of  his  Majesty's 
head,  for  no  further  trace  of  this  measure  is  found. 

The  }’ear  16O0  saw  the  Restoration  which  placed  Charles  II.  on  the  throne.  One 
of  the  first  petitions  brought  to  him  was  one  for  a plan  of  fire  insurance.  The  king 
commended  the  project  but  the  council  rejected  it,  on  the  ground  that  it  was  unreasonable 
for  la'ivate  persons  to  maruge  such  an  undertaking  or  that  anyone  but  the  city  should 
reaj')  the  ju'ofits  of  the  enterprise*. 

Six  years  later,  in  16(A),  occurred  the  Great  h'ire  of  London,  undoubtedly  the  most 
important  date  in  the  history  of  fire  insurance.  Hefore  proceeding  to  the  further 
historical  events  in  insurance  history,  it  will  be  well  to  glance  for  a moment  at  the  new 
sociological  conditions  j)revailing  at  that  time. 

In  1645  Long  Parliament  had  practicall\-  abrogated  all  chivalric  tenures  and 
this  action  received  legislati\e  sanction  in  i()5()  (12  Charles  IP.  c.  24).  As  a practical 
military  system  it  had  died  and  with  it  the  feudal  system  also,  practically.  Therefore 
the  individual  and  the  so-called  lower  classes  no  longer  looked  up  to  the  nobles  alone 
for  protection  and  recompense  for  loss.  The  association  of  themselves  to  effect  these 
objects  became  not  onl}-  ])racticable.  but  plainlv  visible  and  desirable.  It  needed  only 
some  such  terrible  catastrophe  as  that  of  the  Great  Fire  to  emphatically  call  to  the 
attention  of  all  men  the  necessity  that  existed  for  some  such  association  for  their 
mutual  protection  against  such  frightful  evils. 

There  is  a great  deal  of  indirect  testimony  to  the  fact  that  for  man}'  years  preceding 
the  Great  h'ire,  indi\idual  underwriting  against  fire  losses  had  existed  on  the  continent 
of  Europe.  The  }enr  following  the  fire  Dr.  Barbon,  who  on  verv  good  authority,  is 
said  to  ha\’e  been  a direct  descendant  of  Praise  God  Barebones,  and  who,  at  that  time, 
was  one  of  the  first  and  most  consideral)le  builders  of  the  citv  of  London,  set  up  an 
office  for  the  insuring  of  houses  and  buildings.  The  question  of  whether  such  individual 
underwriting  was  practiced  in  England  before  1666  is  a difficult  one.  Such  a method 
of  underwriting,  being  of  a personal  or  private  character,  would  leave  but  little  or  no 
evidence  of  its  existence.  It  is  iienerallv  believed,  however,  that  Dr.  Barbon  was  the 
first  of  such  underwriters. 

Passing  by  the  propositions  made  by  Delaune  and  the  alleged  but  unproved  state- 
ment that  a mutual  ffre  insurance  association  was  founded  in  Edinburgh  in  1670,  the 
most  important  events  are  to  be  found  in  the  attempts  of  Mr.  Deputv  Xewbold  to 
create  a ffre  insurance  companv.  His  scheme  was  first  brought  to  the  attention  of  the 
city  government  in  i()75.  I'or  five  vears  Mr.  Xewbold  ke])t  presenting  new  and 
improved  schemes  to  the  C»)uncil,  but  without  securing  anv  decision  from  it.  In  the 
meantime  the  number  of  indi\  idual  underwriters  had  increased  and  Mr.  Samuel  \'incent. 
Dr.  Xicholas  Barbon.  John  Parsons,  Eelix  Calvert  and  others  were  re-constructing  Dr. 


12 


THE  UN  DERW  R J T E R. 


lUirbon’s  business  into  what  was  known  as  The  Fire  Office.  On  April  2,  1680,  there 
appeared  in  the  Protestant  { ftomcstick)  Intcligcncc,  of  London,  a paragraph  proposing 
the  formation  of  a joint  stock  company  which  should  “forever  assure  the  re-building 
of  any  the  casualties  happening  by  fire  to  any  of  the  houses  of  the  city  of  London.” 
It  was  thought  that  a stock  of  ^50,000  might  Ire  raised  and  “in  all  probabilities  may 
be  so  im ployed  that  the  improvements  thereof  may  forever  rebuild  all  such  casualties 
as  may  happen  by  fire  to  those  houses  and  buildings.” 

Next  comes  the  best  known  historical  document  known  in  the  history  of  fire 
insurance.  It  is  in  the  form  of  an  advertisement  which  appeared  May  7,  1680,  in  the 
Tnic  Protestant  [Domestick]  Intelligence.  It  is  as  follows: 

There  is  a new  office  to  Ire  kept  at  the  backside  of  the  Royal  Exchange,  London,  and  will 
be  opened  on  Thursday  next.  I'liey  do  undertake  for  a very  rersonable  rate  to  secure  the  houses  in 
London  and  the  suburbs  thereof  from  fire,  and  if  burned  down  to  build  them  again  at  the  cost  of  the 
office,  for  which  end  is  provided  a considerable  bank  of  money,  and  a fund  of  free  land,  to  such  a value 
as  will  secure  those  that  agree  with  the  office.  There  being  now  in  print  a particular  thereof  we 
need  not  give  you  any  further  account. 

Five  days  later,  in  the  Mercnriiis  Civiens.  there  appeared  a proposal  to  insure 
houses  from  fire  at  “an  office  on  Threadneedle  Street.” 

The  managers  of  the  former  office  published  the  same  year  a long  circular 
entitled  “Arguments  for  Insuring  Houses  from  Fire.”  From  this  circular  it  is  learned 
that  for  six  pence  per  pound  rent  for  brick  houses  and  twehe  pence  for  timber  houses  ^ico 
was  to  be  paid  out  of  the  bank  of  the  office  for  every  /,'io  that  was  insured,  or  else 
the  house  was  to  be  rebuilt  at  the  charge  of  the  office.  It  is  also  learned  that  the 
bank  was  of  /'40, 000,  and  this  amount  was  considered  amply  sufficient  for  the  insuring 
of  10,000  houses.  There  is  a degree  of  quaintness  in  this  paragraph: 

A man  would  part  with  5s.  or  los.  in  an  P\oo  only  to  sleep  quietly  for  a year,  and  not  to  be 
disturb’d  with  dismal  cry  of  FIRE,  FIRE,  when  himself  is  not  in  danger  to  be  burnt.  Neither  would 
a man  for  such  a small  sum  if  a loss  should  happen,  be  disquieted  with  the  too  late  advice  of  friends, 
every  one  blaming,  and  asking  why  did  he  not  insure  t Or  be  tormented  by  his  own  thoughts  with  the 
7vish  I had  insured. 

It  is  curious  to  note  that  the  only  known  copy  of  this  earliest  of  insurance  circulars 
is  not  to  be  found  in  any  of  the  great  English  libraries  but  is  preserved  in  the  State 
Library  at  Albany,  New  York. 

The  following  year  Mr.  Newbold’s  proposals  were  seriously  entertained,  but  the 
Committee  to  which  his  petition  had  Iteen  referred  recommended  that  instead  of  granting 
the  asked-for  powers  to  a corporation  the  Chamberlain  of  London  “might  undertake 
ye  said  design.”  In  the  British  Museum  there  is  a broadside  dated  Sept.  16  of  this 
year,  entitled,  an  “Advertisement  from  the  Insurance  Office  for  Houses,  etc.,”  which 
apjrears  to  have  been  the  title  adopted  l)y  th.e  “new  office  to  be  kept  at  the  backside 
of  the  Koyal  Exchange.”  This  compan}’  was  composed  of  outsiders  and  was  naturallv 
jealous  of  the  attempt  of  the  Cit}'  to  enter  the  field,  under  Mr.  Newbold’s  proposition, 
as  com j)eti tors.  The  broadside  just  referred  to  was  followed  l)y  another,  the  title  of 
which  clear!}'  displays  this  spirit.  It  was  entitled:  “An  Emphry  whether  it  be  the 

interests  of  the  Citv  to  Insure  houses  from  Fire;  and  what  Advantage  the  Insured  mav 
expect  more  than  from  the  Insurance  Office  already  setled.” 

The  City  Corporation,  however,  proceeded  to  deveUq)  the  Newbold  scheme,  and, 
during  the  winter  of  1681,  opened  a book  of  subscriptions  for  insuring  of  houses  (by 
the  City  of  London)  in  case  of  fire,  b'or  more  than  one  year  a bitter  fight  was  carried 


I ' 1 R E A X 1 ) M A R I X E. 


18 


on  between  these  rival  companies,  but  the  private  corporation  ultimately  won,  and,  a 
little  more  than  a year  after  the  city  government  had  resolved  “to  undertake  ye 

Insuring  of  all  Houses  within  the  City  and  Libertyes, ” it  determined  to  give  up  the 
))lan  and  instructed  the  Chamberlain  to  repay  all  money  which  had  been  advanced  and 
then  to  cancel  the  policies!  Notwithstanding  this,  new  ])olicies  were  issued  for  six 

months  more  and  the  city  did  not  go  out  of  the  business  until  mandamus  proceedings 
were  brought  in  the  Court  of  King’s  Ifench.  It  was  charged  at  the  time  that  the 

corporation  was  unable  to  repay  the  money  deposited  with  them  and  the  argument 

advanced,  “how  can  it  be  expected  that  the  insured  shall  have  better  justice  when  a 
great  loss  by  lire  happens  than  those  persons  who  have  held  the  City’s  bonds  have 
had  ? ” 

The  final  act,  however,  of  the  connection  of  the  Corporation  of  London  with  Fire 
Insurance  was  deferred  until  1696,  when  Mr.  Newbold  presented  a petition  for  remun- 
eration for  the  time,  trouble  and  expense  he  had  l)een  at.  This  petition  was  referred 
to  a committe  which,  14  years  after  the  resolution  to  discontinue  had  been  passed, 
made  a report,  which  was  adopted;  by  which  it  was  “resolved  to  give  him  the  benehtt 
of  making  two  persons  free  of  this  Citie  l>y  redemp.  con.  paying  to  Mr.  Chamberl.  in 
to  the  citie’s  use  of  fortie-six  shillings  eightpence  a-]hece,  the  said  persons  to  be  the 
first  presented  and  allowed  of  by  this  Court.” 

There  was  now  only  the  original  insurance  office  which  had  its  office  at  the  back 
of  the  Koyal  lixchange.  It  placed  a badge  upon  houses  insured  by  it,  which  badge 
rejiresented  a ph(enix  amid  flames,  and  from  this  the  office  came  to  be  known  as  the 
Fhmnix  Office,  still  later  it  was  called  The  Old  Phcenix.  Its  office  was  moved  from 
the  Royal  Exchange  to  the  “Rainbow  in  Fleet  Street.” 

In  1683  and  ’84  the  I'riendly  Society  was  started  and  at  once  the  Phoenix  began 
to  make  war  ujxm  the  new  company  and  this  rivalry  was  fiercely  carried  on  until  1686, 
when  the  Phcenix  ap|)lied  to  the  Lords  of  the  Privy  Council  for  the  exclusive  privilege 
of  “making  and  registering  all  assurances,  policies  and  contracts  of  houses  from  hre,  for 
31  years.”  After  much  discussion  the  King  granted  the  petition  in  part,  ju'ohibiting  the 
undertakers  for  the  I'riendly  Society  and  all  others  from  insuring  any  houses  for  one 
year  after  the  date  of  the  Letters  Patent.  It  was  further  decreed  that  at  the  expiration 
of  one  year  the  I'riendly  Society  might  also  insure  houses  in  the  following  extraordinary 
manner:  “for  the  sjxace  of  three  moneths,  and  then  to  desist  for  the  next  three 

moneths,  and  then  to  begin  again  for  three  moneths  more,  soe  as  to  juit  a stop  from 

time  to  time  to  the  said  method  of  insuring  of  the  said  Friendly  Society  every  other 

three  moneths.”  • 

In  1694  the  first  tax  was  levied  upon  fire  insurance  in  the  shape  of  a stamp  duty 
of  sixpence  on  every  policy  of  insurance.  Th  s duty  was  imposed  for  four  vears  only 
but  was  afterward  continued.  It  was  made  perj^etual  under  George  I.  and  repealed 
under  George  III. 

The  second  great  date  in  the  histoiy  of  Fire  Insurance  is  1696.  During  that 

year  not  only  did  the  City  ol  London  finally  j')erform  its  last  official  act  in  regard  to 
its  “Design  and  Undertaking  for  the  Insuring  of  Houses  from  the  Evil  of  Fire,  ’ but  a 
new  and  eminently  successful  company  was  projected.  Proposals  were  made  by  the 
AniicLxblc  Contributors  Jor  Insurance  from  Loss  by  Fire  “at  Tom’s  Coffee  House,  in  St. 
Martin’s  Lane,  near  Charing  Cross,  where  attendance  is  daily  given.”  This  Association 
adojAed  as  its  badge  and  trademark,  and  printed  upon  all  of  its  stationery,  the  device 


u 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 

of  two  clas})ed  hands,  from  which  it  took  its  name  of  the  Hand-in-I land,  by  which 
name  it  is  still  known,  as  it  is  still  a flourishing  company,  the  only  survivor  of  those 
founded  during  this  period. 

All  of  these  companies  and  others  that  were  founded  during  the  closing  years  of 
the  century  confined  themselves  to  insuring  houses  alone,  and  these  in  the  city  of 
London  only.  No  attempt  was  made  to  insure  the  contents  of  buildings  and  all  risks 
were  divided  into  but  two  classes:  brick  buildings  and  timber  buildings.  Ijuildings,  the 
party  walls  of  which  were  not  of  brick  or  stone,  whatever  the  material  of  the  walls 
might  be,  were  classed  as  timber  buildings. 

In  1704  there  was  founded  the  Lombard  House  for  insuring,  among  other  things, 
household  goods  and  trading  stock  from  fire.  This  was  the  first  office  which  undertook 
the  insurance  of  household  furniture  and  to  it  also  is  due  the  honor  of  having  instituted 
a salvage  corps. 

The  third  great  date  in  the  history  of  fire  insurance  is  usually  given  as  1710,  but 
to  properly  understand  its  importance  it  is  necessary  to  go  back  to  1706,  in  which  year 
Mr.  Charles  Povey  started  the  Exchange  House  Fire  Office  in  Hatton  Garden. 
Although  the  advertisements  refer  to  governors  and  directors,  it  was  an  individual 
enterprise  of  his  own.  During  successive  years  he  published  a sort  of  insurance 
newspaper.  In  the  year  1710  the  Company  of  London  Insurers,  which  had  started  the 
previous  year,  purchased  all  of  Povey ’s  rights  and  interests  in  the  Exchange  House 
Insurance  Office  and  became  a society  with  the  name  of  “The  Sun  Fire  Office  for 
Insuring  Houses,  Goods,  Wares  and  Merchandizes,  from  Loss  and  Damage  by  Fire.” 
This  company  proposed  to  insure  in  any  place  within  Great  Britain  outside  of  London. 
T'his  company  is  also  a flourishing  existing  office. 

Fire  insurance  is  for  the  hrst  time  exjiressly  recognized  in  legislation  in  a statute 
(10  Anne,  c.  26),  passed  for  the  purpose  of  “laying  additional  Duties  on  Hides  and 
Skins,  Vellum  and  Parchment,  and  new  Duties  on  Starch,  Coffee,  Tea,  Drugs,  Gilt  and 
Silver  Wire,  and  Policies  of  Insurance  to  secure  a vearly  fund  for  satisfaction  of  orders 
to  the  contributors  of  a further  sum  of  Ti-f'oo.ooo  toward  II.  i\I.  Supply;  and  for  the 

better  securing  the  duties  on  candies and  concerning  cake  sope:  ....  and 

concerning  ]>rize  Cocoa  nuts  brought  from  America,  etc.,  etc.” 

Section  68  of  this  Act  declares  and  enacts  “that  all  deeds,  instruments  and  writings 
for  the  payment  of  any  sum  of  money  upon  the  loss  of  any  ship  or  goods,  or  upon  any 
loss  by  hre  ....  shall  be  deemed  a policy  of  assurance  within  this  act.”  The  stamp 
duty  thus  imposed  was  3s.  yd. 

In  1720  began  what  may  be  termed  the  speculative  period  in  the  history  of  ffre 
insurance.  The  South  Sea  Hubble  was  about  to  burst.  For  several  years  preceding 
there  had  been  numerous  projects  relating  to  annuities,  life  and  marine  insurance,  and 
fire  insurance  could  not  escape  these  promoters.  The  first  of  these  companies,  known 
as  Overall's  Insurance  Comj'tan}',  asked  subscriptions  for  one  million  pounds  sterling. 
This  company  got  into  trouble  with  Parliament,  made  a venture  in  South  Sea  Stock, 
buying  at  /,'6oo  and  selling  at  /j8oo.  The  company  then  disappeared,  having  undoubtedly 
been  swallowed  up  in  the  crash  that  followed.  A large  number  of  similar  companies 
were  started  about  the  same  time,  none  of  which  called  for  a less  capital  stock  than 
a million  i)ounds  sterling  and  many  of  them  two  millions.  Finally  a scheme  of  fire 
insurance  combined  with  building  operations  was  advertised.  The  subscription  was  to 
be  for  three  million  pounds.  T'he  company  was  to  build  or  rebuild  houses  or  other 


FIRE  AN  D M A R I N E. 


15 


edifices,  on  new  or  old  foundations,  in  any  part  of  England,  and  to  insure  houses  and 
goods  in  any  part  of  the  kingdom  from  loss  or  damage  from  fire.  “And  to  prevent 
mean  people  from  being  concerned  in  this  beneficial  undertaking,  every  person  that  is 
admitted  must  pay  los.  per  share  for  permits  of  ^i,ooo  each  which  will  be  delivered 
out  this  morning  at  9 o’clock  at  the  (dobe  Tavern  in  Stocks  Market,”  continued  the 
advertisement.  ' This  scheme  of  permits  marked  the  height  of  the  speculative  mania. 
The  scheme  never  succeeded,  the  folly  being  too  evident.  But  meantime  the  force  of 
speculation  had  spread  to  Scotland  and  to  Ireland. 

In  1724,  from  a single  line  in  a magazine,  it  appears  that  there  was  a fire 

insurance  agency  office  m Boston,  Mass.,  but  nothing  further  is  known  of  it. 

The  history  of  fire  insurance  now  progresses  rapidly,  but,  in  the  brief  space  of 
this  introduction,  it  will  be  impossible  to  give  as  close  details  as  in  these  earlier  years, 
therefore  only  a few  significant  events  and  dates  will  be  given. 

The  first  reported  case  on  a fire  insurance  policy  in  the  English  Courts  was  that 

of  Lynch  vs.  Dalzel,  manager  of  the  Sun  Eire  Insurance  Company,  in  1729.  In  this  case 

it  was*decided  by  the  House  of  Lords,  “that  the  person  insured  must  own  the  property 
at  the  time  of  the  loss  or  the  company  would  not  be  liable  to  pay.”  The  first  fire 
insurance  company  in  Germany,  of  which  any  knowledge  is  obtainable,  was  founded  at 
Hanover  in  1750.  The  first  insurance  company  in  the  United  States  was  founded  two 
years  later,  in  1752,  but,  as  this  opens  u)')  the  interesting  subject  of  fire  insurance  in  the 
United  States,  it  will  l)e  well  to  go  back  a little  and  examine  into  its  origin  there. 

It  is'  not  surprising  to  find  that  the  first  attempt  at  establishing  an  insurance 
company  in  America  should  have  been  in  Philadelphia  nor  that  it  should  have  been  in 
the  line  of  marine  insurance.  In  the  Penn  and  Logan  correspondence  there  is  much 
interesting  matter  referring  to  insurance.  Penn  had  religious  scruples  about  insurance, 
but  also  seems  to  have  been  dul)ious  as  to  the  credit  of  the  underwriters.  In  a letter, 
dated  Eebruary  16.  1705,  he  wrote  to  Logan;  “J.  Askew  ensured  ^100  upon  thy  lettert 
but  the  ensurer  broke,  and  the  20  guineas  lost.  This  done  upon  the  former  intimations. 
Lnsurers  fail  much.”  In  1721  John  Copson  opened  an  office  of  Public  Insurance  on 
vessels,  goods  and  merchandise. 

Lour  years  later  Mr.  S.  Keimer  published  in  Philadelphia  the  first  book  in  America 
which  makes  any  reference  to  insurance.  This  book  is  of  special  interest  inasmuch  as 
it  not  only  was  printed  by  Benjamin  Pranklin,  but  was  the  first  book  printed  by  him. 

Nearly  thirty  years  passed  before  a rggular  insurance  company  was  founded.  It 
is  known,  however,  that  during  these  years  individual  underwriting  not  only  existed,  but 
was  a flourishing  business.  In  1752  steps  were  taken  toward  founding  a regular 
office  of  fire  insurance.  It  was  entitled  The  Ph.iladelphia  Contributionship  for  the 
Insurance  of  Houses  from  Loss  by  Lire.  Benjamin  Pranklin  was  a moving  spirit  in 
this  enterprise.  He  succeeded  in  identifying  lightning  and  electricity  in  June,  1752,  and 
it  is  known  that  he  immediately  made  the  practical  application  of  his  discovery  toward 
the  protection  of  houses  and  property.  Thrift  was  one  of  Lranklin’s  great  characteristics, 
and  it  is  not  strange,  therefore,  that  he  should  have  turned  his  mind  toward  the  protection 
of  property,  and  particularly  houses,  from  losses  by  a closely  similar  danger,  i.  e.,  that 
of  fire. 

The  book  just  referred  to  as  his  first  work  was  written  by  Lrancis  Kawle  and  was 
entitled,  “W’ays  and  iMeans  for  the  Inhabitants  of  Delaware  to  become  Rich,”  and  Mr. 
Rawle  distinctly  classes  insurance  as  a branch  of  business  which  would  be  not  onlv 


1C) 


r 11  K LT  N 1)  E R W R IT  E R. 


heljTul  to  the  mariner,  but  would  promote  commerce  and  agriculture  as  well.  There  is 
every  reason  to  believe  also  that  Franklin  was  thoroughly  posted  in  the  history  of 
insurance  jn'ojects  in  Great  Britain.  The  Mon.  John  Smith,  to  whom  indeed  must  be 
given  the  honor  of  having  been  the  practical  originator  of  the  company,  and  Mr.  Joseph 
Saunders,  who  had  l)een  engaged  for  some  years  as  an  individual  underwriter  for  both 
shipping  and  houses,  were  intimate  friends  of  his.  The  Philadelphia  Contributionship 
was  modeled  almost  precisely  after  the  plan  of  the  Amicable  Contributionship  (Hand- 
in-IIand)  of  England.  Indeed  its  name,  deed  of  settlement,  and  its  seal  and  badge, 
four  hands  clasped,  were  all  copied  from  its  English  prototyj')e.  Under  the  name  of  the 
I land-in-Mand  it  did  a flourishing  l)usiness  which  still  continues. 

Philadelphia  at  that  time  was  the  great  commercial  city  of  the  Continent,  and  it 
is  not  until  1770  that  any  attempt  was  made  in  New  York  to  found  a fire  insurance 
company  there.  In  that  year,  at  a meeting  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  the  following 
resolution  was  introduced,  April  3,  by  Mr.  John  Thurman: 

“As  it  is  the  desire  of  a number  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  city  to  have  their  estates 
insured  from  loss  by  fire,  and  that  losses  of  this  sort  may  not  fall  upon  individuals, 
proposed  that  the  Chamber  take  into  consideration  some  plan  that  may  serve  so  good 
a purpose  under  the  direction  of  this  Corporation.” 

Erom  the  records  of  the  Chamber,  under  date  May  2,  it  is  noted  that  Mr.  Thurman’s 
proposal  is  referred  to  a future  meeting.  It  is  again  postponed  at  the  meeting  of  the 
following  month  and  then  seems  to  have  been  either  dropped  or  forgotten,  for  nothing 
further  is  heard  of  such  plans  during  the  Colonial  period. 

Erom  this  date  onward,  it  is  almost  impossible  to  trace  the  history  of  insurance 
in  any  one  country  alone  as  important  improvements  and  modihcations  were  occurring 
at  widely  separated  jdaces.  Thus  in  1779  must  be  noted  the  establishment  of  the  first 
proprietary  fire  insurance  company  in  Germany.  It  was  known  as  the  Funftc  Assccuranz 
Compagnic  and  existed  until  1842,  when  it  was  ruined  by  the  great  fire  in  Hamburg, 
wdiere  it  had  its  office.  In  1780,  of  the  twenty-one  fire  insurance  companies  which  had 
been  founded  in  England,  beginning  w'ith  Dr.  Barbon’s  office  in  1667  and  ending  with 
the  Eiverpool,  1777,  there  existed  only  nine,  w'hich,  in  order  of  their  foundation,  were  as 
follows;  Iland-in-Hand,  1696;  Sun,  1710:  Union,  1714;  Westminster,  1717:  British  and 
Irish,  1720:  Eriendly  of  Edinburgh,  1720;  London  Assurance  Corporation,  1721;  Royal 
Ifxchange,  1721,  and  Liverpool,  1777.  These  companies  may  l)e  said  to  represent  the 
first  series  and  those  thereafter  formed  incorporated  so  many  new  ideas  and  improvements 
as  to  constitute  an  entirely  new  departure.  During  this  year  the  sugar  refiners  of  London 
applied  for  a royal  charter  for  the  incorporation  of  an  Insurance  Office  to  meet  their 
special  reciuirements.  The  Attorney  General  refused  to  recommend  the  granting  of  such 
a charter  on  the  ground  that  he  considered  “The  puldic  as  likely  to  be  better  served 
by  voluntary  associations  of  respectal)le  individuals  than  by  incorporated  societies.”  A 
direct  result  of  this  wms  the  founding  in  the  following  year  of  The  New  Insurance 
Company,  later  known  as  Phcenix  No.  2.  In  1780  also  was  founded  the  first  provincial 
office  in  Ifngland,  the  Salo}y  still  in  existence. 

The  year  1782  marks  a very  important  ejioch  in  the  history  of  fire  insurance.  In 
that  year  a percentage  duty  was  first  imjiosed  upon  the  sum  insured.  This  tax,  at  first 
only  IS.  6d.,  was  progressively  increased  to  1816,  in  which  year  it  was  fixed  at  3s.  for 
each  /,ioo  insured,  and  it  continued  at  that  rate  for  nearly  fifty  years.  This  tax  was 
collected  by  the  various  offices  as  an  addition  to  the  premiums  and  was  by  them  turned 


I<  1 R E AXM)  MARINE. 


17 


over  to  the  treasury.  In  i(S03  this  tax,  which  was  always  bitterly  fought  as  tending  to 
discourage  j)rudence  and  as  being  out  of  all  proportion  to  the  cost  of  the  insurance  to 
which  it  was  added,  amounted  to  the  enormous  sum  of  ^1,714,622.  This  showing  was 
so  strong  a })roof  of  the  justice  of  the  objectors  to  the  tax  that  the  rate  was  lowered 
in  1864.  I)Ut  it  was  not  until  1869  that  the  whole  tax  was  finally  al)rogated. 

Returning  to  the  i8th  century,  and  to  the  American  colonies,  a new  company  is 
found  sjn'inging  up  in  IMiiladelphia.  In  all  insurance  companies,  or  nearly  all,  the 

extinguishing  of  fires  was  a j)art  of  the  duty  of  the  insuring  comjiany.  In  1783,  the 

Contributionship  had  been  called  upon  to  ])ay  a loss  ipion  a house,  the  shade  trees 
about  which  impeded  the  extinguishing  of  the  hre.  The  planting  of  such  trees  about 
houses  was  not  onh^  authorized  but  fostered  by  law.  The  Contributionship,  however, 
passed  a by-law  refusing  to  any  longer  insure  houses  surrounded  by  shade  trees.  In 

conseciLience  of  this,  a number  of  the  citizens  of  Philadelphia,  nearly  all  of  them 

lu'ominent  members  of  the  Contributionship,  alter  apj)ealing  for  the  repeal  of  this  l)V-law 
and  signifying  their  willingness  to  pay  an  increased  jiremium,  and  being  refused,  seceded 
and  called  for  subscribers  to  a new  comjxmy.  I bis  company  was  similar  to  the  jiarent 
company  but  had  this  special  clause  in  its  deed  ot  settlement: 

“ Phat  there  be  an  Addition  to  the  Deposite  Money  uj)on  the  Insurance  of  all 
Houses  having  'Frees  planted  before  them  and  also  for  'Frees  planted  in  thirds  near 
the  Houses;  which  Addition  shall  be  determined  by  the  'Frustees,  and  be  in  proportion 
to  the  Ris(|ue  suc'h  Frees  may  occasion.  All  Frees  planted  near  Houses  shall  l)e 
'Frimmed  every  F'all,  in  such  Manner  as  not  to  be  higher  than  the  Ffaves  of  the  Houses. 
And  'Frees  |)lanled  after  Insurance  must  be  rejiorted  to  the  Office,  and  the  additional 
Dej^osite  ]xiid  within  twelve  Months  after  they  are  planted,  or  the  Dejxrsite  Money  will 
be  forfeited  and  the  Insurance  become  \'oid." 

A curious  result  of  this  insurance  clause  has  been  to  establish  with  great  accuracy 
the  date  of  the  planting  of  certain  trees.  'Fhe  new  comjxany  adojited,  as  a badge  to 
be  placed  upon  the  houses  insured  b)'  it,  a green  tree,  and  from  this  the  company 
l)ecame.  and  is  still,  popularh'  known  as  the  Green  'Free. 

'Fhree  years  later  a successful  atteinj^t  was  made  to  establish  a hre  insurance 
association  in  New  '\'ork.  Fhe  Mutual  Fhre  Insurance  Conpiany  of  the  Citv  of  New 
^'ork  was  not  incorporated  until  March  28,  1809,  but  was  founded  actually  in  1787.  It 
was  the  only  insurance  company  in  New  ^’ork  down  to  1796.  In  1846  it  changed  its 
title  to  that  of  the  Knickerbocker  F'ire  Insurance  Company. 

In  the  year  1791  a scheme  of  Universal  'Fontine  was  proposed  in  Poston  “for  the 
purpose  of  raising  a fund  upon  lives  to  be  ajiplied  to  the  charitable  and  other  uses." 
'Fhis  scheme  did  not  succeed  nor  did  a similar  project  started  in  New  ^'ork.  In  1792 
the  scheme  was  taken  up  in  Philadeljihia  and  great  efforts  made  to  boat  it.  'Fhese 
were  also  unsuccessful  and  in  November  of  that  year  it  was  resolved  to  change  the 
Universal  'Fontine  into  a general  insurance  company  and  the  Insurance  Company  of 
North  America  was  thereupon  founded,  embracing  in  its  scope  the  three  branches  of 
Marine,  F'ire  and  Life  Insurance.  Whth  the  last  of  the.se  this  historv  has  nothin^  to  do. 
and  it  is  chieHy  with  the  first  that  it  has  to  treat,  as  showing  the  struggles  through 
which  this  kind  of  insurance  has  had  to  jxiss.  During  the  last  ten  vears  of  the  i8th 
century  the  F'rench  government  committed  alarming  depredations  upon  American 
shijiping  interests,  claiming  that  W'ashington's  neutrality  proclamation  of  1793  was  in 
violation  of  the  treat}’  of  177'^-  Congress  finally  held  the  F'rench  Government  lilameless 


IS 


T H E U N D E R R I T E R. 


for  tlie  losses  thus  inRictecI,  whereupon  claims  for  indemnity  were  presented  to  Congress. 
Not  until  1885  were  these  claims,  amounting  to  many  millions,  hnally  allowed. 

During  the  closing  years  of  the  century  insurance  comjianies  multiplied  rapidly, 
d'hirty  charters  were  granted  during  this  period,  nearly  all  of  them  for  marine  and  fire 
insurance.  Of  these  there  were  7 in  Maryland.  6 in  Massachusetts,  4 in  New  York,  4 
in  Pennsylvania,  4 in  Connecticut,  2 in  South  Carolina,  2 in  Rhode  Island,  i in  New 
Ilampshire  and  1 in  Virginia.  In  the  first  decade  of  the  present  century  double  this 
number  of  new  charters  were  granted,  and  as  new  States  came  into  the  Union  the 
number  of  new  companies  increased  until  at  the  present  moment  they  are  numbered 
by  hundreds. 

No  other  business  interest  of  the  country  is  so  far-reaching  in  its  benefactions  or 
so  important  as  a factor  in  the  commercial  and  financial  world  to-day  as  that  of 
insurance.  The  national  banks  of  the  United  States,  with  their  something  less  than 

three-cjuarters  of  a billion  of  cash  capital,  are  overtojiped  by  the  assets  held  by  the  life 

insurance  comjianies  alone  and  by  the  combined  assets  of  hre,  life,  marine  and  casualty 
insurance  in  the  proportion  of  more  than  two  dollars  to  one. 

With  the  dawn  of  this  century,  however,  this  mere  sketch  of  the  history  must  be 
brought  to  a close  as  it  would  be  impossible,  in  the  narrow  limits  assigned  for  this 
introduction,  to  present  even  an  index  of  subjects  referring  to  the  matter.  The  task  is 
the  less  needful  as  these  matters  are  distinctly  modern  growths  and  are  well  known  to  all 

insurance  men.  It  would  be  making  an  invidious  distinction  to  take  any  of  the  new  or 

now  existing  companies  to  illustrate  the  course  of  this  progress,  and  to  mention  them 
all  would,  of  course,  be  impossible.  There  remains,  therefore,  but  to  briefly  refer  to 
some  of  the  characteristic  developments  of  Fire  Insurance  as  it  is  carried  on  in  the 
United  States,  d'he  chiefest  and  most  important  of  these,  perhaps,  is  the  agency  system. 

d'he  vast  extent  of  the  country  made  this  necessary  in  the  first  place,  and  as  the 
svstem  became  developed  there  developed  at  the  same  time  other  important  advantages 
in  addition  to  those  first  contemplated.  The  pivotal  point  of  the  system  is  the  local 
agent.  lie  is  intensely  and  minutely  acquainted  with  every  aspect  of  any  contemplated 
risk,  both  moral  and  physical,  and  in  case  of  dishonesty  or  incompetency  the  daily 
reports  soon  reveal  the  losses,  and  correction,  by  removal  of  the  agent,  is  swiftly  applied. 

The  S}'Stem  is  at  once  an  exceedingly  complicated  and  yet  a \'ery  simple  one, 
amounting  to  a multijdication  of  the  original  office  in  many  points.  The  machinery 
required  to  guide  and  control  such  enormous  business  is  correspondingly  great  and  has 
led  to  the  establishment  of  the  jn'esent  immense  offices,  employing  scores  of  clerks  and 
(experts.  At  one  time  Cincinnati  was  the  general  center  for  the  insurance  business  of 
the  Ibiited  States,  but  it  has  since  moved  to  Chicago. 

The  interesting  subjects  of  policies,  of  the  attempts  at  combined  action  by  all 
companies,  of  the  National  Hoard,  of  the  State  Insurance  Departments  and  insurance 
legislation  in  general,  and  finally  of  the  great  conflagrations  which  have  occurred  and 
their  effect  upon  the  companies  and  the  svstem  can  only  l)e  enumerated  here. 

b'or  many  years,  and  even  vet,  it  has  been  said  that  “b'ire  Insurance  is  a mag- 
nificent svstem  of  guessing.”  'The  epigram  is  losing  its  j^oint  and  I'ire  Insurance, 
particularly  as  practiced  in  the  United  States,  now  ranks  not  only  among  the  most 
accurate  and  scientific  of  the  businesses  conducted  by  men,  but  certainly  as  among  the 
most  beneficent,  and  is  an  acknowledged  indispensalde  factor  in  the  continued  well-being 
and  future  progress  of  the  world. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


AMERICAN  COMPANIES 


TIII{  .F/rNA  INSUKANCI^:  COMPANY  ()1<  HARTFOKI) 


'I'he  investment  having  the  most  ])oints  of  merit  for  the  capitalist,  the  business  or 
professional  man,  the  manufacturer,  the  mechanic  or  laborer,  the  one  which,  everything 
considered,  will  give  the  largest  and  most  satisfactory  return,  is  hre  insurance.  The 
standing  of  all  the  hre  companies  of  Hartford  is  admiralhe  and  they  rank  among  the 
hrst  in  the  country.  The  cFtna  Insurance  Company  is  the  largest,  not  only  of  these, 
but  of  all  in  the  United  States.  It  stands  there,  with  its  more  than  eleven  million  of 

assets  and  its  record  of  $77,3UPU^3  ‘dready  j^aid  out  h^r  losses,  as  the  greatest  hre 

company  of  America. 

I'or  seventy-seven  years  the  .Ftna  of  Hartford  has  been  known  to  the  public, 

not  only  as  a guarantor,  but  a payer  of  indemnity  for  propertv  loss.  It  was  organized 

in  1819,  its  original  officers  being  Thomas  K.  I3race,  President,  and  Isaac  Perkins, 
Secretaiy.  The  cajhtal  at  hrst  was  $150,000,  but  it  has  since  grown  to  its  present 
amount,  $4,000,000,  with  a surplus  considerabl}'  over  $3,500,000.  For  about  two  years, 
at  hrst,  the  comjiany  ccmhned  its  business  to  Hartford  and  vicinity,  but  soon  adopted 
the  }X)licy,  in  which  it  was  the  pioneer,  of  extending  its  operations  to  other  parts  of 
New  hingland.  Graduallv  the  agency  system  was  extended  and  as  early  as  1834  an 
agent  \vas  appointed  for  Chicago.  Two  years  later  the  company  entered  actively  in 
competition  for  business  in  New  ^'ork  City. 

Previous  to  1853  many  agencies  had  been  established  at  various  Western  points, 
while  the  Aliddle  States  and  New  England  had  been  quite  thoroughly  covered.  In 
1857  President  Brace  died  and  was  succeeded  l)y  Ivdwin  C.  Ripley,  the  capital  at  that 
time  having  been  increased  to  a million.  In  1866  the  capital  was  still  further  increased 
to  $3,000,000.  Meantime,  in  1862,  President  Ripley  died  and  Thomas  A.  Alexander, 
Secretary,  became  his  successor.  He,  too,  died,  and  Lucius  J.  Hendee  succeeded  to 
the  jn'esidency,  having  previously  been  Secretary.  During  the  historic  hre  of  Chicago. 
1871,  the  company  contemplated  a greater  loss  than  ever  fell  to  any  single  companv. 
That  loss  exceeded  its  immense  capital  by  almost  a million  dollars.  The  directors 
])romptly  met  and  decided  to  reduce  the  existing  cajutal  by  $1,500,000,  or  one  half, 
and  the  stcckholders  as  promptly  contributed  $1,500,000  to  make  good  the  reduction. 
The  total  sum  paid,  and  paid  promptl)’,  too,  by  the  T3tna,  was  $3,782,000. 

In  the  fall  of  1872  came  the  great  Boston  hre  and  the  capital  of  the  .Ftna  was 
again  reduced  l)y  one  million  in  cash.  In  1881  the  capital  had  increased  to  $4,000. 000, 
at  which  hgure  it  now  stands,  and  so  well  has  its  ahairs  l)een  managed  that  for  several 
years  past  a dividend  of  eighteen  per  cent  on  the  capital  has  been  annually  declared. 
One  characteristic  of  the  company  has  l)een  that  changes  in  the  executive  officers  have 
usually  I)een  made  as  death  has  removed  the  incumljent  and  then  changes  have  been 
in  the  line  of  promotion. 

d'here  have  I)een  but  two  changes  in  the  presidenev  since  1866,  when  President 
Hendee  was  elected.  Ujion  his  death  in  1888  Jotham  (loodnow  was  advanced  to  that 
pt)sition  and  retained  the  same  until  1892.  when  he,  too,  jiassed  away.  William  B. 
Clark,  who  had  been  \'ice-President  trom  1888,  succeeded  him,  and  Secretary  Bavne 
liecame  Vice-President;  )ames  b'.  Dudlev’,  then  Assistant  Secretarv',  was  elected  to  the 
Secretaryship,  and  on  the  death  of  C'aptain  Baviie  he  was  made  \’ice-President. 
William  11.  King  is  Secretary  and  E.  ().  Weeks  the  Assistant  Secretar\-  at  the  jn'esent 
time. 

■211 


I 

h 

I 


f 


WILLIAM  P>KAI)DOCK  CLARK 


I’RKSIDKNT  OF  THE  /ETNA  IXSL'RAXCE  COMPANY. 

Much  of  the  success  and  stability  and  character  of  a company  depends  upon  its 
officers,  and  in  this  respect  The  /Ltna  Insurance  Company  has  been  greatly  favored. 
Whlliam  I).  Clark,  who  is  at  present  the  executive  officer  of  this  ably  managed  institution, 
is  an  experienced,  thorough  and  practical  insurance  man.  He  has  secured  success  liy 
lionest  work  and  he  may  witli  fairness  be  singled  out  as  a type  of  the  men  who  have 
had  the  oversight  of  this  company  from  the  start. 

Mr.’  Clark  was  born  in  the  city  of  Hartford,  Connecticut,  June  29,  1841,  and  in 
that  city  he  has  continued  to  reside  ever  since,  with  th’e  exception  of  a year  during 
boyhood,  when  he  was  away  attending  school.  He  is  a son  of  A.  N.  Clark  and  bdnily 
I.  Clark.  His  father  was  connected  with  the  “Hartford  Courant”  (the  oldest  newspajier  in 
the  United  States)  for  twent}'  years  or  more  and  for  many  years  was  its  proprietor  and 
editor.  William  B.  Clark  received  his  scholastic  training  in  the  juiblic  schools  of 
Hartford,  the  High  School  dejiartment  of  the  Normal  School  in  New  Britain,  and 
finished  at  what  was  known  in  those  days  as  “Gallup's  College  Green  School,"  a 
private  institution  in  llartford. 

His  father  needing  his  services,  young  Clark  left  school  before  completing  his 
education  and  entered  the  office  of  the  “Courant,”  where  he  remained  one  year.  He 
had  intended  returning  to  school,  but  an  opportunity  offered  to  enter  the  office  of  the 
Bhtt'nix  Insurance  Company  of  Hartford  as  accountant,  and  he  commenced  his  duties 
there  on  the  19th  of  januar\',  1857.  From  that  position  he  arose  to  that  of  conhdential 
clerk  to  the  officers,  and  so  able  and  efficient  were  his  services  that,  on  the  promotion  of 
Mr.  11  enrv  Kellogg  as  President  of  the  Ph<i»nix,  to  replace  Mr.  S.  L.  Loomis,  whose 
death  occurred  in  August,  1863,  he  was  elected  Secretary  of  the  company. 

Mr.  Clark  remained  with  this  company  until  the  first  of  December.  1867,  and  was 
then  appointed  Assistant  Secretary  of  The  Hvtna  Insurance  Company  of  Hartford,  a 
jmsition  he  filled  until  the  27th  of  Sejrtember,  1888.  At  that  date  he  was  elected  \hce- 
President  of  the  comjxiny,  and  on  the  ist  of  December,  1892,  the  twenty-hfth  anniversary 
of  his  connection  with  the  /Ltna,  he  was  elected  its  President.  He  is  known  very 
widely  in  insurance  circles  and  is  everywhere  liked  where  he  is  known. 

Mr.  Clark  is  a Republican  in  his  jiolitical  views  and  has  remained  with  the 
“Grand  Old  Party"  since  its  formation.  He  has  never  cared  for  public  offices  and 

has  held  but  two,  viz.:  a member  of  the  Board  of  Aldermen  for  two  years  from  1880, 

and  a member  of  the  Board  of  Water  Commissioners  for  nine  years  from  1882.  He 
is  a director  in  the  Traveler’s  Insurance  Chmipan}-;  the  City  Bank;  the  Society  for 
Savings:  the  Mechanics  Savings  Bank;  Cedar  Hill  Cemetery:  a director  and  member 
of  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  Retreat  for  the  Insane:  a corporator  of  the  Hartford 
Hospital:  a member  of  the  Connecticut  Historical  Society,  and  Treasurer  and  Paymaster 
of  the  original  i860  Lincoln  Wide-awakes.  Mr.  Clark  has  traveled  all  over  the  United 
States,  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  principally  on  business  connected  with  the 
interests  of  the  insurance  company,  and  is  well  posted  on  all  subjects. 

He  was  married  on  the  13th  of  May,  1863,  to  Miss  Caroline  H.  Robbins,  daughter 
of  Idiilemon  F.  Robbins  of  Hartford,  and  they  have  had  five  children,  two  sons  and 
three  daughters,  only  the  daughters  now  living.  In  jiersonal  appearance  Mr.  Clark  is 

five  feet  nine  and  a half  inches  tall,  and  weighs  two  hundred  and  twenty  iiounds.  He 

is  a member  of  the  I'irst  Baptist  Church  of  Hartford. 

■21 


JAMIES  DUDLEY 

\ICK-PRKSI1)KXT  OF  THE  .ETXA  IXSL'RAXCK  COMl’AXV. 

One  of  the  most  destructive  elements  to  property  since  tlie  world  began  has  been 
fire.  By  the  match  of  the  incendiary  or  the  lack  of  care  on  the  part  of  the  jieojile  in 
charge,  millions  of  dollars  are  sacrificed  annually.  It  is  therefore  essential  that  every 
precaution  should  be  taken  for  the  protection  of  property.  Insurance  is  the  most 
effective  means  that  has  ever  been  devised  to  afford  such  protection,  but  it  is  a well 
established  fact  that  all  insurance  does  not  insure,  and  in  placing  insurance  the  principal 
thing  to  be  considered  is  the  financial  condition  and  rejnitation  of  the  company.  Who 
has  not  heard  of  the  .Etna  Insurance  Company  of  Martford,  Connecticut?  The  standing 
of  this  company  is  unexcelled  and  two  well  kncjwn  to  need  (]uestioning.  James  Ered- 
eric  Dudley,  \dce-President  of  this  giant  concern,  is  regarded  with  honor  throughout 
the  entire  circle  of  his  business  ac(]uaintance,  and  is  a man  who  thoroughly  understands 
all  that  pertains  to  insurance. 

He  is  a native  of  the  Pine  Tree  State,  born  in  the  town  of  Hampden,  Eebruary 
I,  icSyi,  but  for  many  years  he  has  been  a resident  of  Hertford,  Connecticut.  His 
father,  John  Dudley,  was  a direct  descendant  of  Governor  Thomas  Dudley  of  the 
Massachusetts  Colony  of  Puritans.  Erom  such  stock  as  this  came  James  Erederic 
Dudley.  During  the  early  part  of  Ids  educational  career  he  attended  Hampden  Academy 
and  later  entered  Bowdoin  College,  where  he  received  the  degree  of  A.  B.,  and  later 
A.  M.  h:  arly  in  life  he  displayed  a remarkable  taste  for  study,  and  was  especially 
interested  in  scientific  investigation.  As  he  was  obliged  to  make  his  own  way  through 
college,  he  commenced  teaching  after  graduating,  first  at  Hampden  Academy  and  later 
at  d'homaston  High  School,  in  Maine,  thus  jiaying  his  debts  which  had  accumulated 
while  attending  school.  Hollowing  this  Mr.  Dudley  engaged  in  the  Life  Insurance 

business  at  Bangor,  Maine,  and  to  tliis  he  soon  added  b'ire  Insurance,  continuing  this 
for  three  years. 

He  was  made  General  Agent  of  the  Union  Insurance  Comjiany  of  Bangor,  but 
after  the  Boston  fire  the  Union  discontinued  its  fire  business  and  Mr.  Dudley  returned 
to  the  local  business.  In  1874  he  accepted  the  position  of  Special  Agent  for  the  North 
British  and  Mercantile  Insurance  Company  for  the  state  of  Pennsylvania.  Two  years  later 
he  accepted  the  Special  Agency  of  the  vEtna  Insuranoe  Company  for  the  same  territory. 
Itic^ht  vears  later  he  was  transferred  to  New  d'ork  State.  In  188s  he  was  invited  l)ack 
to  the  service  of  the  former  company  as  its  General  Agent,  with  headcjuarters  in  Newd’ork. 

On  the  retirement  of  Mr.  Chuirles  E.  W hite  from  its  management,  Mr.  Dudley 
was  made?  Assistant  Manager,  a position  he  held  until  a reorganization  of  the  .Etna 
Insurance  Com}iany,  when  he  was  invited  to  become  its  Assistant  Secretary.  On  the 
death  of  Ih'esident  Goodnow  he  was  made  Secretary  and  later  \dce-President,  a position 
he  fills  most  abh'  at  the  jiresent  time.  Mr.  Dudley  is  a director  in  the  Etna  Insurance 
Com)iany,  also  a director  in  the  Connecticut  River  Banking  Company,  the  Earmers  and 
Mechanic’s  National  Bank  and  the  Connecticut  Society  for  Savings,  also  a member  of 
Board  of  Park  Commissioners. 

Although  not  an  enthusiast  on  the  sulpect  of  secret  societies,  he  has  had 
membership  in  several,  and  is  earnest  in  his  sujiport  of  all.  He  is  a member  of  the 
C'ongregational  Church,  with  liberal  \’iews  in  religion  as  in  politics,  although  a Rejmblican. 
Mr.  Dudley  was  married  Decemljer  30,  1869,  to  Miss  Nettie  S.  Read,  a direct  descendant 
of  Roger  W’illiams.  The}’  ha\-e  one  daughter.  Mr.  Dudley  is  domestic  in  his  taste, 
and  all  his  time  out  of  business  is  spent  with  his  fainil}-. 


FKEDEKICK  C.  E>EKNETT 


(iENKRAI,  A(;KXT  OF  I'lIK  .-FTXA  IXSL'RAXCF  COMRAXV  OF  HARTFORD,  COXX. 

Success  in  business  carries  with  it  the  natural  inference  that  the  successful  man 
possesses  energy,  intelligence  and  other  attributes  of  men  who  have  risen  above  their 
fellows.  But  energy  and  intelligence  fail  to  make  one  shine  forth  in  a social  sphere, 
unless  they  are  united  to  an  exceptional  personality.  It  is  temperament  that  makes  a 
man  either  liked  or  disliked.  Mr.  Frederick  C.  Bennett  is  hapjiy  in  this  respect,  for 
his  hne  and  distinctive  personality  is  what  makes  him  what  he  is,  and  his  friends  are 
legion. 

The  vast  growth  of  the  /Etna  Insurance  Company  of  Hartford,  Connecticut,  is 
undoubtedly  due  to  the  executive  ability  of  its  officers  and  the  fidelity,  energy  and 
perseverance  of  its  agents.  The  general  agents  of  the  company  have  ever  been  true  to 
its  interests,  and,  among  those  who  have  taken  an  exceedingly  active  part  in  making 
the  .Etna's  glorious  history,  few  can  point  to  a record  as  successful  and  free  from 
mistakes  as  that  of  Mr.  Bennett,  General  Agent  of  the  /Etna  Insurance  Company. 

Mr.  Bennett  is  not  a native  of  this  country,  but  of  England,  his  birth  occurring 
at  Elmham,  Norfolk  County,  August  6,  1830.  He  was  the  youngest  of  eight  children 
l)orn  to  Robert  and  Eleanor  Bennett,  also  natives  of  the  liritish  Isles.  In  the  year 
[832  the  ]'>arents  came  to  America  and  hrst  settled  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  where  thev 
resided  for  two  years,  or  until  1834,  when  they  moved  to  Cincinnati.  In  that  city  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  has  made  his  home  for  sixty-two  years.  He  received  a good 
practical  education  in  the  puldic  schools  of  that  city  and  sipiplemented  the  same  by 
attending  Woodward  College  for  some  time. 

Wh  en  starting  out  to  earn  a living  after  leaving  school,  his  thoughts  turned  to 
the  insurance  Inisiness,  and  he  had  no  idea  of  engaging  in  any  other  employment. 
This  was  in  1847  and  he  began  as  office  boy  in  the  Protection  Insurance  Companv’s 
office.  \V.  B).  Rollins  was  at  that  time  general  agent.  Later  Mr.  Bennett  served  as 
clerk  and  bookkeeper,  and  when  twenty-one  years  old,  or  in  1851,  he  started  out  as 
traveling  agent. 

He  served  this  company  ably  and  faithfully  until  /\ugust,  1854,  when  it  failed,  and 
in  Se]itember  of  that  year  he  engaged  with  the  /EAna,  under  his  brother,  J.  B. 
Ifennett,  and  continued  as  Special  Agent  and  adjuster  until  b'ebruary,  1870,  when  he 
was  appointed  General  Agent,  a position  he  holds  at  the  present  time.  Eor  nearly  half 
a century  this  worthy  man  has  been  interested  in  insurance  matters  and  few  are  held 
jn  higher  esteem  liy  the  members  of  his  company,  or  have  done  more  faithful  work 
than  he. 

Mr.  Bennett  is  an  Episcopalian  in  his  religious  views  and  was  brought  up  in  the 
Church  of  Ifngland.  In  jiolitics  he  has  always  advocated  the  principles  and  policy  of 
the  Republican  jiarty  and  is  strongly  for  sound  mone\'.  He  selected  his  wife  in  the 
person  of  Miss  Mary  E.  Mitchell  and  their  nuptials  were  celebrated  in  the  month  of 
October,  1858.  d'hey  are  the  parents  of  three  children,  all  living. 


c;k{)K(',k  p>()ai>ji)man 

ASSOCIATK  CKXERAI,  A(;KXT  OF  THK  PACIFIC  COAST  FOR  TIIF  .EIXA  IXSCRAXCE  COMPAXV. 

Insurance  companies,  in  the  management  of  their  aifairs,  endeavor  to  secure  the 
services  of  men  of  tried  ahilit}’  and  honorable  reputation. 

The  cHtna  Insurance  Company  obtained  such  a representative  when  it  elected  Mr. 
George  C.  Boardman  (now  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  P)oardman  & Spencer)  General 
.Vgent  for  the  Pacific  Coast  in  1868,  a position  he  has  aldv  filled  up  to  the  present  time. 

Mr.  Boardman  was  born  in  Hartford,  Connecticut,  May  20th,  1828.  His  familv 
is  of  English  descent,  an  early  ancestor  having  come  from  Ifngland  and  settled  at 
Ipswich,  Massachusetts,  in  1638.  His  father,  Thomas  I).  Boardman,  was  for  more 
than  fifty  years  a pioneer  manufacturer  of  block  tin  and  lEfitannia  ware  in  Hartford 
and  New  '^Mrk  City. 

He  received  his  early  education  in  his  native  city,  and  after  leaving  school  entered 
actively  upon  a mercantile  career,  first  in  Hartford  and  afterward  in  the  city  of  New 
^Trk.  Subsequently  he  went  tc^  Kansas  and  took  an  active  part  in  the  territorial 
political  excitement  which  marked  the  early  history  of  that  state,  returning  to  Hartford 
in  1856  to  accept  the  position  of  Special  Agent  of  the  Merchant’s  Insurance  Company. 

He  remained  with  that  company  for  several  years,  during  which  time  his  duties 
required  him  to  visit  most  of  the  states  of  the  Cnion,  and  in  i860  he  was  sent  to 
('alifornia,  his  visit  to  that  state  being  the  first  made  by  any  Special  Agent  of  an 
/Vmerican  insurance  company.  Early  in  the  year  1861  the  San  Erancisco  Insurance 
Comjiany  was  organized  and  the  secretaryshi}')  was  tendered  Mr.  Boardman.  This  was 
accepted  conditionally  upon  being  jiermitted  to  hold  the  State  Agency  of  the  Alerchant’s 
Insurance  Company.  This  latter  relationshij')  ceased  following  the  jiassage  b}'  the  state 
of  a deposit  law,  the  occasion  of  the  company's  retirement. 

Mr.  Boardman  held  the  position  of  Secretary  for  two  3’ears,  and  in  1863  was  made 
President  of  the  conqianv,  which  office  he  retained  until  the  year  1868,  when  he  resigned, 
and  in  October  of  that  year  was  elected  General  Agent  of  the  /Etna  Insurance  Company. 

finder  his  management  the  San  Erancisco  Insurance  Company  had  marked  success, 
but  shortly  after  IMr.  Boardman’s  resignation  the  conqiany  retired  from  business. 
During  its  existence  it  had  paid  regular  semi-annual  dividends,  and  finalh'  returned  to 
the  stockholders  their  entire  ca})ital  and  a surplus  of  more  than  twenty  per  cent. 

As  General  Agent  of  the  vEtna  Insurance  Company  and  in  his  lormer  positions 
as  an  underwriter,  Mr.  P)oardman’s  experience  practically  covers  the  history  of  the 
insurance  business  on  the  Pacific  Coast.  He  proposed  and  mainly  promoted  the  original 
Board  of  Underwriters,  which  puldished  the  first  tariff  of  rules  and  rates  for  California 
January  ist,  1861.  This  Board  was  maintained  for  more  than  twenty  years  and  paved 
the  way  for  the  Pacific  Insurance  Ihfion,  which  was  organized  in  1884. 

The  interests  of  the  “Huna"  have  lieen  carefully  guarded  and  fostered  in  Mr. 
Ifoardman’s  hands,  and  the  record  of  the  Pacific  Branch  is  one  of  such  success  and 
jirofit  that  it  refiects  great  credit  upon  his  administration. 

On  the  1 8th  of  August,  1863,  Mr.  Boardman  was  wedded  to  Miss  Annie  Julia  Hort, 
daughter  of  Samuel  Hort,  Es([. , of  the  firm  of  Messrs.  C.  .Adolph  Eow  cA  Co.,  one  of 
the  leading  importing  and  commission  houses  of  San  P'rancisco,  and  his  three  sons  are 
now  young  men  engaged  in  business  in  that  cit\'. 

Mr.  Ifoardman  is  regarded  as  a sound,  conserxative  and  experienced  underwriter: 
he  is  prominent  in  business  and  social  circles  and  is  a director  of  the  San  P'rancisco 
SaN’iims  Union  and  a member  ol  the  leading  San  P'rancisco  clubs. 

o o 

•JB 


willig  spencer 

ASSOCIATK  (IKNKRAl,  A(;KXT  OK  'I'HK  PACIFIC  COAST  FOR  TIIF:  -F.TXA  INSURANCE  COMPANY. 

George  Willig  Spencer,  of  the  firm  of  P)oardman  & Spencer,  General  Agents  of 
the  I’acific  P)ranch  of  the  .Eitna  Insurance  Company,  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pa., 
Sej')temher  17,  1H43.  His  family,  on  both  his  father's  and  motlier's  side,  was  from 
New  England  and  descended  from  Itnglish  ancestors,  who  settled  in  i\Iassachusetts  and 
Connecticut  in  the  early  part  of  1600. 

riis  father,  Asa  Spencer,  was  a man  of  high  literary  ability  and  prominent  in 
science  and  art.  Me  was  an  honorary  member  of  the  “ Academy  of  Sciences"  and  the 
“ I'ranklin  Institute"  of  Philadeljdiia,  and  ujion  his  death  a monument  was  erected  to 
his  memory  by  his  associates  and  friends  in  those  and  other  scientihc  bodies. 

The  year  following  his  father’s  death,  young  Spencer,  then  a child  five  years  of 
age,  moved  with  his  family  from  Philadelphia  to  the  old  homestead  in  New  London, 
Connecticut.  lie  received  a pulilic  school  education  in  that  towm,  and,  in  1859,  at  the 
age  of  sixteen,  he  returned  to  Idiiladelphia  and  commenced  his  business  career.  His 
first  connection  was  with  the  house  of  North,  Chase  & North,  large  manufacturers  of 
stoves  and  hollow  ware,  the  senior  member  of  which  firm  was  an  old  friend  of  Mr. 
Spencer’s  father  and  took  great  interest  in  the  boy's  progress.  Mr.  Sjiencer  remained 
with  this  firm  until  1862,  when,  against  the  wishes  and  protest  of  his  employers,  but 
with  the  approval  of  his  familv,  he  volunteered  as  a private  in  the  15th  Pennsylvania 
Cavalry  (Anderson  Troop),  lie  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Regimental  Color  Sergeant 
and  served  with  his  regiment  in  all  the  ojierations  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  until 
the  close  of  the  war,  vdien  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  of  service  at  Nashville, 
Tennessee,  in  August,  1865.  Upon  leaving  the  army,  Mr.  Spencer  returned  to 
Philadelphia  and  at  cmce  obtained  a position  as  bookkeeper  in  a dry-goods  house,  which 
he  resigned  the  following  year,  and  went  to  New  hTrk  City  to  accept  a similar  position 
with  his  brother-in-law,  who  was  engaged  in  the  provision  and  warehouse  business. 

In  1868,  an  old  schoolmate  of  Mr.  Spencer  returned  from  the  west  coast  of  South 
America,  where  he  had  been  very  successful,  and  offered  him  a partnership  in  a business 
at  the  Island  of  Tahiti,  which  he  contemjdated  establishing.  He  re(}uired  the  assistance 
of  someone  \vith  a business  training  and  offered  Mr.  Spencer  a full  partnership. 

The  jM'oposal  was  accejited,  but,  on  arri\ing  at  Tahiti,  IMr.  Spencer  found  the 
conditions  unfavorable  for  the  }’>roposed  business,  and  in  the  spring  of  1869  returned  to 
San  Erancisco,  where  he  was  offered  a {position  by  Mr.  Geo.  C.  Poardman,  General 
Agent  of  the  /Etna  Insurance  Company,  which  he  accepted.  This  was  l\Ir.  Spencer’s 
first  connection  with  the  insurance  business.  He  remained  in  the  /Etna  office  as 
accountant  and  special  agent  until  January,  1880,  when  he  accepted  the  position  as 
Manager  of  the  Insurance  Department  of  Messrs.  Balfour,  Guthrie  cS:  Co.  He  held  this 
))osition  until  August  i,  189b,  but  then  resigned  it  to  accej^t  the  Associate  General 
Agency  of  the  .Eltna  Insurance  Company  for  the  Pacific  Coast,  with  IMr.  Geo.  C. 
Boardman,  under  the  firm  name  of  Ifoardman  & Spencer. 

In  his  insurance  career,  Mr.  Spencer  from  the  first  developed  an  adaptability  that 
soon  jdaced  him  in  a prominent  position  as  an  underwriter,  advancing  from  Special 
.\gcnt  of  the  /EAna  Company  to  Manager  of  the  leading  agency  firm  of  Balfour,  Guthrie 
A C'ompany,  the  marked  success  of  that  office  l)earing  testimony  to  his  ability. 

In  the  several  associations  of  underwriters  of  the  Pacific  Coast  Mr.  Spencer  has 
taken  a leading  and  influential  part,  his  counsel  alwa\s  commanding  respect  among  his 
associates  and  his  work  in  committee  being  regarded  as  of  a highly  valuable  character. 

•2S 


\ 


WILLI A^I  IIENKV  WYMAN 

(;KXKRAL  Ac;EXT  of  'I  tlK  N(  )RT1I\VFSTFR\  DFPARI'MFXT  of  TIIF  .ETXA  IXSURAXCF  C'OMl’AXV. 

The  long  and  successful  career  of  the  pEtua  Insurance  Comjxan}'  speaks  volumes 
in  its  favor,  and  recommends  it  more  highly  than  mere  words  ever  can.  The  General 
Agent  of  the  company  in  the  Northwestern  Department  is  \\hlliam  Henry  W’yman,  who 
now  resides  at  Omaha,  Nebraska.  He  has  served  the  above  conuxiny  faithfully  and  is 
doing  an  extensive  and  highly  satisfactory  business  for  them.  Mr.  Wyman  was  born  in 
Canton,  St.  Lawrence  County,  New  York,  July  21,  1831.  He  was  the  son  of  Whlliam 
\\'.  Wyman,  who  married  IMiss  Emeline  Tapper,  of  Canton,  on  December  27,  1826.  He 
is  of  the  seventh  generation  removed  from  h'rancis  Wyman,  who  came  to  this  country 
from  hhigland  and  settled  at  Charlestown  (Boston),  Massachusetts,  juhor  to  1640,  and 
later  at  Woburn.  The  latter  was  die  son  of  Francis  W’yman  Sr.,  of  Hertfordshire,  L'ngland. 

Whlliam  Wh  W^yman  was  an  editor,  and  published  a newspaper,  first  at  Canton, 
New  h’ork,  then  at  Madison,  Whsconsin,  and  later  at  Omaha,  Nebraska.  He  removed 
to  Madison  from  the  East  in  1838,  and  in  1839  started  the  “Madison  Express."  William 
H.  Wyman’s  educational  advantages  were  confined  to  the  common  schools,  and  to  a term 
each  at  the  Beloit  and  Milton  academies.  However  he  and  his  brother,  Albert  U. 
Wyman  (afterward  Treasurer  of  the  United  States),  received  their  education  principally 
in  the  printing-office,  where  much  of  their  boyhood  was  passed. 

W'hen  about  nineteen  years  old  Whlliam  II.  became  anxious  to  see  something  of 
the  world  and  traveled  to  St.  Louis,  Louisville  and  Cincinnati,  where  he  worked  on 
various  newspajiers  as  a compositor.  In  the  last  named  city  he  became  connected  with 
the  Protection  Insurance  Company  of  Hartford,  Connecticut,  and  entered  the  office  as 
the  junior  clerk.  On  the  failure  of  the  Protection,  he  entered  the  General  Agency  of 
the  .Etna,  then  under  the  charge  of  J.  P>.  Bennett,  on  September  15,  1854,  and  after  a 
year  of  travel  through  the  WTst  and  South  as  Special  Agent  returned  to  kladison  and 
took  the  position  of  State  Agent  for  Whsconsin.  On  December  23d,  1857,  at  Prairie  du 
Sac,  Whs.,  Mr.  W'yman  was  married  to  Miss  Isabel  Watson,  who  died  in  Denver  in  1880. 

Mr.  Wyman  held  the  position  of  State  Agent  until  1869  and  after  that  was  a 
year  in  the  Local  .\gency  business  in  Milwaukee,  after  which  he  was  called  to  Cincinnati 
as  Assistant  Cfeneral  Agent  of  the  /Etna.  During  the  later  years  of  his  residence  there 
he  was  married,  November  3,  1887,  at  Lake  (feorge.  New  h'ork,  to  Miss  Maude  Crosby, 
daughter  of  E.  G.  Crosby,  of  Crosbyside.  In  January,  1891,  he  removed  to  Omaha,  to 
take  the  position  of  (General  Agent  in  a new  department,  consisting  of  the  states  of 
Minnesota,  Iowa,  Missouri,  North  and  South  Dakota,  Nebraska,  Kansas,  Colorado, 
W)’oming,  and  New  Mexico,  Oklahoma  and  Indian  Territories. 

Mr.  Wyman  has  always  taken  a great  interest  in  the  State  Historical  Society  of 
Whsconsin  and  his  name  is  continued  on  the  list  of  non-resident  Honorary  \hce- 
Presidents.  He  has  devoted  much  time  outside  of  business  to  the  accumulation  of  a 
library,  principally  Shakespearean,  but  with  a specialt}-  also  of  privately  illustrated  books, 
and  including  much  that  is  antitjuarian.  In  connection  with  the  Shakespeare  library  he 
became  interested  in  the  collection  of  a complete  libraiw  on  the  subject  of  the  disputed 
autliorship  of  Shakespeare’s  works,  which  resulted  in  compiling  a book  on  the  subject — 
./  lUbliography  of  the  Bacon- Shakespeare  Literature,  Cincinnati,  1884,  pp.  124,  and  in  the 
publication  of  other  articles  on  Shakespearean  sul)jects,  principally  in  the  Shakespearean 
Magazines.  This,  however,  was  not  undertaken  by  Mr.  W yman  on  accenmt  of  any  doubts 
as  to  the  authorship,  but  simpl}-  as  a literary  recreation.  IMr.  W \\  man  is  independent  in 
politics  and  \otcs  for  measures  and  men,  irrespective  of  party. 


///' 


KOCKWOOl)  W.  IIOSMER 

('.ENKRAL  A(;KNT  OK  'niK  AMERICAN  AND  THE  MERCAN'I'IEE  FIRE  INSURANCE  COMPANIES 

OF  BOSTON. 

Among  the  most  enterprising  and  successful  of  the  rejmesentatives  of  great  Fire 
Insurance  Companies,  the  firm  of  R.  W.  Ilosmer  & Company,  of  156  and  158  La  Salle 
vStreet,  Chicago,  deserves  special  mention.  The  long  years  i\Ir.  Ilosmer  has  devoted 
to  this  business  have  been  fruitful  with  valuable  experience,  which  he  has  turned  to  good 
account  by  securing  the  agency  of  many  of  the  best  companies  in  existence.  He  is  a 
native  of  Massachusetts,  born  at  Concord  in  1845,  l^^t  for  many  years  has  been  a 
resident  of  Chicago.  He  is  a son  of  Joseph  and  Martha  (Bacon)  Ilosmer,  and  the  great- 
grandson  of  Major  Joseph  Hosmer,  who  was  acting  adjutant  at  the  battle  of  Concord, 
April  19,  1775. 

Rockwood  \V.  Hosmer  was  graduated  from  the  High  School  of  Concord,  and  when 
but  a boy  decided  to  seek  his  fortune  in  the  city  of  Boston.  Being  possessed  of  much 
perseverance  and  determination,  he  soon  secured  employment  in  the  wholesale  dry-goods 
house  of  Messrs.  Theodore  P.  Hale  & Company,  and  there  remained  for  three  years, 
laying  the  foundation  for  his  subsecjuent  successful  career.  Following  this  he  engaged 
with  Dobson  & Jordan,  Fire  Insurance  Agents  of  Boston,  and  continued  with  this  firm 
in  that  citv  until  1865,  when  he  went  to  Chicago  to  help  open  the  branch  office  of 
I.  F.  Dobson  & Comjiany,  successors  to  Dobson  & Jordan. 

In  1867  he  started  in  the  local  fnisiness  on  his  own  account,  under  the  style  of 
R.  \V.  Hosmer  A Company,  and  at  the  time  of  the  Chicago  fire  in  1871  he  represented 
five  Connecticut  Fire  Insurance  Companies,  including  the  Connecticut  Fire  Insurance 
Company  of  Hartford,  which  was  the  only  one  of  seventy-five  Fire  Insurance  Companies 
bankrupted  by  the  fire  that  was  able  to  compromise  its  debts  and  continue  on  in 
business  under  its  original  charter. 

In  the  year  1874  Mr.  Hosmer’s  brother,  Joseph  \\\  Hosmer,  was  admitted  to  the 
firm  and  they  have  continued  together  as  partners  ever  since.  They  have  represented 
alrout  $15,000,000  of  fire  insurance  capital  as  Local  Agents  and  are  at  the  present  time 
Western  General  Agents  for  the  American  Insurance  Company  of  Boston  and  of  the 
Mercantile  Fire  and  Marine  Insurance  Company  of  Boston.  Both  these  companies  enjoy 
the  distinction  of  Iieing  the  only  Boston  Fire  Insurance  Companies  that  passed  through 
the  great  Boston  conflagration  in  1872  and  paid  all  their  losses  in  full,  amounting  to 
nearly  one  million  dollars. 

d'he  American  I'ire  Insurance  Company  was  chartered  in  1818  and  the  Mercantile 
Fire  and  Marine  Insurance  in  1822.  Mr.  Hosmer  is  known  as  one  of  the  most  reliable 
authorities  on  all  matters  pertaining  to  insurance, , and  stands  in  the  foremost  rank. 
Prudent  and  conservative  in  the  selection  of  risks,  liberal  and  just  in  the  adjustment 
and  settlement  of  losses,  and  representing  only  just  and  substantial  corporations,  he 
and  his  brother  are  the  recipients  of  a large  and  useful  jxitronage  which  includes  many 
of  the  leading  merchants,  capitalists  and  property  owners  of  Chicago  and  vicinity. 

Mr.  Hosmer  is  an  influential  member  of  the  Chicago  Board  of  Underwriters  and 
has  been  President  of  the  same  for  the  past  ten  years.  He  is  a member  of  the 

Sons  of  the  American  Revolution,  the  Chicago  and  l-nion  Clubs,  and  of  the 

hnndish  Fake  Shooting  and  I'ishing  Club.  Mr.  Hosmer  has  been  over  a considerable 
])ortion  of  the  Ibiited  States,  visited  Furope  twice,  first  in  1874  and  again  in  1894. 

and  visited  Cuba  in  1887.  In  politics  he  is  a Republican  in  National  aflairs.  He  has 

always  been  a regular  attendant  at  the  Unitarian  Church. 


AMI^RICAN  I'IRK  INSURANCE  COMRANY  OF  PI IILADELPIII A. 


The  insurance  that  “makes  assurance  cloul)ly  sure"  is  exemplified  in  the  American 
I'ire  Insurance  Company  of  Idiiladelphia,  which,  since  its  corporation  on  the  28th  of 
P'ebruary,  1810.  has  met  every  just  claim  against  it  promptly,  and  won  for  itself  a 
rejrutation  second  to  none  in  the  country.  Mam-  times  its  resources  and  integrity  were 
put  to  the  severest  test.  When  incorjiorated  the  authorized  capital  was  $500,000.  Of 
this  amount  $200,000  was  paid  in  at  the  outset  and  the  remainder  was  recpiired  in  1827. 
'I'he  charter  was  amended  |anuary  28,  1812,  authorizing  perj^etual  insurance,  and  the 
first  perpetual  policy  was  issued  March  10,  of  that  year.  The  original  officers  of  the 
company  were  William  Jones,  President,  and  Edward  I'ox,  Secretary.  P>y  an  act 

ajii^roved  I'ebruary  16,  1847,  the  capital  stock  was  reduced  to  $277,500.  April  14, 

1865,  an  act  was  adojAed  authorizing  an  increase  to  $400,000,  with  power  to  make  the 
amount  $500,000.  These  figures  were  reached  in  i>86. 

The  American  I'ire  was  admitted  to  New  York  in  1854,  reporting  under  the  laws 
of  the  state  to  the  insurance  department  for  the  first  time  that  year.  The  officers  at 
that  time  were  Samuel  C.  Morton,  President,  and  Joseph  G.  Mitchell,  Secretary.  In 

1855  Thomas  R.  Maris  became  Secretary  and  was  made  President  January  ii,  i860. 

At  this  time  the  company's  assets  amounted  to  $659,525,  and  when  he  resigned,  in  1882, 
they  were  $1,620,507.  In  April  of  that  year  Thomas  II.  Montgomery  was  elected 
President  of  the  American  I'ire  and  has  since  held  that  position.  Richard  Maris  became 
Secretary  and  Treasurer  in  1886,  being  the  present  incumbent  of  those  positions,  and 
Charles  Ik  Perot  is  \dce-President  of  the  company.  The  total  assets,  December  51, 
1895,  amounted  to  $2, 409, 584. 55,  the  net  surplus  being  $509,117.89.  The  income 
during  the  year  was  $1,511,959.80,  the  cash  premiums  aggregating  $ 1.  197,  285.  1 1.  The 
total  iiremiums  received  since  the  organization  of  the  company  amounted  to  $29,779,- 
165.85;  total  losses  ]iaid,  $17,959,216;  total  cash  dividends,  $2,698,955.50.  The  total 
amount  of  risks  in  force  December  51,  1895,  excluding  perpetuals,  $146,568,897.  The 
total  of  perpetuals  was  $25,176,604. 

THOMAS  HARRISON  MONTGOMERY 

rRESIDKNT  OF  THE  .\MERIC.-\X  EIRE  IXSUR.XXCE  C'OMlWXV  OF  I’l  1 1 E.\l  )EEPII  I.\. 

d'homas  11.  Montgomery  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  P'ebruary  25,  1850,'  but  for 
some  time  he  has  been  a resident  of  Chester  County,  Penns}lvania.  His  father.  Rev. 
James  Montgomery,  I).  D.,  was  Rector  of  St.  .Stephen’s  Church,  Philadelphia,  and  was 
descended  from  William  Montgomerie,  of  A)rshire,  Scotland,  who  came  to  iMonmouth 
C'ounty,  New  Jersey,  with  his  family  in  1702.  Rev.  Dr.  Montgomery,  who  died  in  1854, 
married  secondly  Miss  Mary  Harrison  W hite,  granddaughter  of  ITshop  White,  the  first 
Bishop  of  Pennsylvania. 

During  his  youthful  days  d'homas  Harrison  Montgomery  attended  the  old  Academ}' 
of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  and  Rev.  James  Crowell's  School,  but  his  education 
was  much  interrupted  by  ill  health.  In  the  vear  1847  he  entered  the  wholesale  drug 
house  of  Charles  Ellis  A Compan\^  of  Philadelphia,  and  in  the  year  1851  graduated  at 
the  College  of  Pharmacv.  I'ollowing  this  he  continued  in  the  drug  business  in 
Philadelphia  until  failing  health  compelled  his  reliiujuishment.  In  1855,  after  a most 


34 


T H E U N D E R W R I T E R. 


needed  rest,  he  entered  the  insurance  office  of  Richard  S.  Newhold,  who  was  a^ent  in 
Philadelphia  of  well-known  Marine  and  Fire  Insurance  Companies,  remaining  there  until 

1855.  His  health  continuing  feeble  he  removed  to  Germantown,  Pennsylvania,  in  October, 

1856,  and  there  made  his  home  until  1871. 

During  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1858  Mr.  Montgomery  took  part  in  the 
organization  of  the  Enterprise  Insurance  Company  as  Assistant  Secretary,  but  later 
became  Secretary  and  still  later  Vice-President.  On  account  of  recurring  illness  he  was 
advised  to  pass  the  winter  in  the  West  Indies  and  sailed  for  those  islands  in  October, 
1871.  A few  days  after  starting  the  great  fire  of  Chicago  took  place  and  involved  the 
Enterprise  Insurance  Conijiany  in  great  loss.  At  the  end  ol  the  month  of  October  this 
company  made  an  assignment;  sul)se(}uently  but  seventy-six  and  a half  per  cent  of  the 
claims  were  redeemed. 

In  April,  1872,  Mr.  Montgomery  returned  to  the  States  and  soon  after  was  elected 
General  Agent  of  the  National  Board  of  P'ire  PInderwriters,  entering  on  his  duties  in 
May  of  that  year.  Severing  his  connection  therewith  in  1878,  he  returned  to  Philadelphia 
the  following  year,  and  in  November,  1880,  was  elected  Treasurer  of  the  Insurance 
Company  of  North  America.  This  he  declined  but  accepted  the  Vice-Presidency  of  the 
American  P'ire  Insurance  Company,  and  on  the  resignation  of  President  Maris  in  his 
eightieth  year,  in  April,  1882,  he  was  elected  President  of  the  company. 

Mr.  Montgomery  is  a member  of  the  I^ennsylvania  and  New  York  Historical 
Societies;  the  Sons  of  the  Revolution,  and  of  the  Society  of  Colonial  Wars.  He  has 
traveled  extensively  in  the  PJnited  States  and  visited  PAirope  on  three  occasions.  He 
has  written  articles  on  the  genealogy  of  the  Montgomery  and  the  White  families,  and 
communicating  other  kindred  articles  to  various  magazines. 

Mr.  Montgomery’s  interest  in  church  matters  has  placed  him  as  member  of  several 
church  vestries  in  New  York  as  well  as  Philadelphia;  he  was  accounting  warden  of  Christ 
Church,  Philadelphia,  for  many  years,  and  is  a delegate  from  that  venerable  parish  to 
the  Diocesan  Convention,  and  is  a member  of  the  Art  Club  and  the  Church  Club;  is 
a meml)er  of  the  old  Corporation  for  the  Relief  of  Widows  and  Children  of  Clergymen 
of  the  Pipiscopal  Church;  Manager  of  the  Fuel  Savings  Society  of  P^hiladelphia,  etc.,  etc. 


RICHARD  MARIS 


SECKK'rARV  AND  TREASURER  OK  THE  AMERICAN  EIRE  INSURANCE  COMI’ANV  OK  PENNS VLVAN 1 A. 

Richard  Maris  is  a man  whose  practical  business  experience  and  judgment  have 
made  him  so  pronounced  a success  in  the  insurance  field.  He  was  born  in  Philadelphia 
and  resides  at  1530  West  Seventeenth  street,  that  city,  at  the  present  time.  Plis  parents, 
William  Maris,  Jr.,  and  Margaret  (Stevenson)  Maris,  died  a few  years  ago.  each  having 
almost  reached  the  unusual  age  of  fourscore.  A book  of  the  Maris  family,  compiled  by 
George  Maris,  of  Wilmington,  Delaware,  traces  the  ancestry  back  for  nine  generations. 

In  the  [Hiblic  schools  of  Philadelphia  young  Richard  received  his  earlv  education 
and  finished  by  taking  the  principal  course  at  the  Central  High  School.  At  an  early 
age  he  evinced  a strong  liking  for  mechanics,  and,  although  anxious  to  enter  a machine 
shop,  circumstances  arose  which  sacrificed  all  hojies  in  that  direction.  Although  he  had 
mapped  out  his  life  as  above,  upon  leaving  school  he  temporaril_\-  engaged  in  the  lumber 
business  with  his  father,  and  subsecjuently,  when  a situation  m a shipping  and  commision 


T I I E U N 1 ) E R \V  R I T E R. 


:-}s 

house  was  tendered  him,  he  accepted  and  held  the  same  lor  lour  years.  l)urin<^  that 
time  he  filled  all  the  jxrsitions  from  office  boy  to  chief  clerk.  Ujion  the  dissolution  of 
the  firm  Mr.  Maris  was  engaged  for  some  time  in  the  lumber  commission  business,  but 
left  that  to  fill  a responsible  })osition  in  a manufacturing  establishment,  where  he  remained 
twelve  years.  On  the  15th  of  October,  1873,  he  accepted  a j^osition  with  the  American 
bhre  Insurance  Company  and  filled  a clerkship  until  January  12,  1882,  when  he  was 
elected  Assistant  Secretary  and  in  August,  1886,  was  made  Secretary  and  Treasurer. 

Mr.  Maris  is  connected  with  several  charitable  societies  and  with  the  Temple  of 
Honor  and  Temperance,  being  Past  Grand  Worthy  Templar  c f Philadelphia.  He  is  also 
prominent  in  Masonic  circles,  being  Past  iMaster  of  Perkins  Lodge,  No.  402:  Past  High 
Priest  of  Oriental  Chapter,  No.  183:  Past  Commander  of  Philadelphia  Commandery, 
Knight  Templar;  member  of  (fraud  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  the  Grand  H.  R.  A.  Chapter, 
Philadelphia  Council,  No.  i,  and  a member  of  the  Philadelphia  Consistory.  A.  & A. 
Rite,  32d  degree,  and  a member  of  the  Union  League,  Philadelphia. 

His  travels  have  not  extended  beyond  this  country  and  have  been  confined  to  the 
Middle  and  Western  States.  For  over  ten  years  he  has  been  a meml)er  of  the  Protestant 
hfpiscopal  Church  of  the  Incarnation,  Philadelphia,  and  is  now  the  accounting  warden 
of  the  same.  Politically  he  affiliates  with  the  Republican  party.  Mr.  Maris  was  married 
in  i860  and  his  wife  died  in  1882.  Two  children  were  liorn  to  this  union,  Mhlliam 
Maris  and  Alice  S.  The  son  is  Special  Agent  and  Adjuster  in  the  office  of  Rolla  W 
Watt,  Manager  of  Pacific  Coast  Department  of  the  Royal  A Queen  Insurance 
Company.  The  daughter  is  the  wife  of  William  L.  Degn,  of  the  firm  of  Warthman  A 
Co.,  of  I’hiladelphia. 

Mr.  Maris’  second  marriage  occurred  in  1884,  Miss  Lucy  II.  Roberts,  daughter  of 
Hon.  A.  K.  Roberts,  becoming  his  wife.  They  have  had  one  child,  a daughter  named 
Helen.  In  personal  apjiearance  Mr.  Maris  is  about  five  and  a half  feet  in  height, 
weighs  about  one  hundred  and  thirty-five  pounds,  light  complexion  and  gray  eyes.  He 
has  always  enjoyed  excellent  health,  and  is  fond  of  societ}'. 


CITIZENS’  INSURANCE  COMPANY  OF  NEW  YORK. 

d'he  Citizens'  Insurance  Company,  at  156  P>road\vay,  was  incorporated  April  28, 
1836,  as  the  ‘ AVilliamsburg  Eire  Insurance  Company”  of  Williamsburg,  N.  Y.,  now 
the  hfastern  District  of  Drooklyn;  changed  in  name  to  “Citizens’  fibre  Insurance  Coinj^any,  ” 
and  in  location  to  Brooklyn,  in  184c;:  and  amended  in  title  to  “Citizens’  Insurance 
Company”  simply,  in  1865. 

It  had  in  184c;  a capital  t>f  $105,000,  and  gross  assets  amounting  to  $131,143.  In 
a quarter  of  a centurv.  after  the  great  fires  of  Chicago  and  Boston  had  thrown  into 
bankruptcy  a hundred  insurance  conqianies,  and  crip]ded  and  almost  ruined  many  others, 
the  Citizens’  Insurance  Compaii}'  had  a cajfital  of  5300,000  and  gross  assets  amounting 
to  $843,802.  'I'his  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  the  great  fires  cf  Chicago  and  Boston  had 
multiplied  by  eight  its  annual  a^•erage  of  losses  by  fire. 

It  has  paid  for  losses  since  its  organization  $6,355,3(18,  about  fifty  per  cent  of  its 
]n‘emium  receijEs,  a smaller  jn'ojiortion  of  loss  than  the  statistics  of  the  fire  insurance 
business  concede. 


40 


T II  K L'  X D K kW  R 1 TER. 


'I'he  Citizens'  Insurance  Company  has  had  in  its  entire  history  three  Ih'esidents; 
Daniel  Durtnett,  until  1859;  James  M.  McLean,  until  i886;  and  Edward  A.  Walton, 
until  the  present  time.  Mr.  McLean  was  Secretary  during  the  entire  period  that  Mr. 
Durtnett  was  President,  and  was  in  the  service  of  the  company  for  thirty-nine  years. 
Mr.  WMlton  was  Secretary  until  1881,  and  from  that  year  \hce-lh‘esident  until  1886, 
when  he  became  President,  and  has  been  in  the  service  of  the  company  for  forty-four 
years.  The  \hce-President  is  George  H.  McLean,  a well-known  and  esteemed  New- 
h’orker,  son  of  the  former  Ih'esident  of  the  comiiany,  and  in  its  service  for  fourteen 
years.  The  Secretary  is  Lrank  M.  I’arker,  a prominent  citizen  of  Newark,  N.  J.,  and  a 
servant  of  the  comj'iany  in  every  department  for  a (quarter  of  a century.  Thus  the 
Citizens’  Insurance  Company  has  the  advantage  of  a management  intimately  allied  with 
every  j'lhase  of  its  experience — an  experience  which  begins  with  the  hrst  years  of  fire 
insurance  in  this  country. 

The  company  has  jiassed  triumjdiantly  through  all  tlie  serious  conflagrations,  has 
always  paid  its  losses  promptly,  and  has  paid  dividends  for  over  forty  years. 


EDWARD  A.  WALTON 

I'RKSIDEXT  OF  THE  CITIZENS’  INSURANCE  COMl’ANV  OF  NEW  YORK. 

Mr.  kidward  A.  Walton  was  born  in  New  York  City,  May  9,  1836,  and  his  early 
youth  was  ]iassed  in  the  towns  of  Norwalk,  Connecticut,  and  Williamsburg,  Long 
Island.  His  business  career  began  on  his  fourteenth  birthday,  when  he  entered  the 
employment  of  the  Citizens’  Insurance  Company  in  its  Williamsburg  office.  After  ten 
3'ears  of  clerkshi]'i,  he  was  in  i860  appointed  Secretary  of  the  “Citizens’.”  In  1881  he 
was  promoted  to  the  \hce-Presidency  of  the  comjiany  and  in  April,  1886,  was  elected 
President,  completing  forty-hve  years  of  service  on  iMay  9,  1895. 

While  Secretary  of  the  “Citizens’”  in  1878,  he  was  elected  President  of  the  New 
h'ork  P)oard  of  I'ire  Underwriters  and  was  recdected  in  1879,  serving  at  various  times 
on  several  of  its  Standing  Committees. 

.\t  the  annual  meeting  of  the  National  Hoard  of  Lire  Underwriters  in  May,  1894, 
Mr.  Walton  was  elected  President  of  that  organization,  having  served  for  several  years 
as  Chairman  of  its  Linance  Committee. 

Mr.  Walton  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  national  politics,  and  in  1872 
W5-,s  Rejuiblican  Elector  from  New  Jersey.  He  is  a resident  of  Ridgewood,  in  that 
state;  is  a Director  of  the  Manhattan  Life  Insurance  Company  and  of  the  National 
Citizens’  ILink  of  New  ^'ork:  Trustee  of  the  Manhattan  Savings  Institution;  and  a 
member  of  the  Union  League  and  Insurance  clubs  of  New  York  and  of  the  Ridge- 
wood Club. 

The  Citizens’  Insurance  Company  of  New  hhirk,  with  which  i\Ir.  Walton  has  been 
so  long  connected,  was  organized  in  1836  and  has  always  stood  well  in  the  community 
and  with  its  competitors,  and  the  fact  that  both  Mr.  James  M.  McLean,  its  former 
President,  and  Mr.  Walton  have  been  elected  twice  to  the  Presidency  of  the  New  York 
Hoard  of  h'ire  Underwriters  and  to  the  National  Hoard  of  h'ire  Underwriters  is  an 
evidence  that  the  c'ompany  and  its  officers  have  secured  the  got)d  will  of  their  business 
associates. 


(;i<:oR(;i:  iiamaioxd  mclean. 


N’ICK-l’RF.SIDKX'l’  OF  I'lIF  CFlIZFXs’  IXSL’RAXCF  COMPAXV  OF  XFW  YORK. 

l’’ire  insurance  companies  have  revolutionized  old  business  methods  and  they 
allord  a security  to  owners  of  buildings  and  personal  pr()}-)erty  that  removes  all  fear, 
d'hey  have  come  to  be  a necessity  of  modern  times.  Among  the  prominent  and  reliable 
ones  in  this  country  is  the  Citizens’  Insurance  Company,  of  New  York.  This  comjiany 
was  incorporated  under  a special  charter,  as  the  Williamsburg  Fire  Insurance  Company, 
A}rril  2<S,  1S36,  and  l)egan  business  in  A}'>ril,  1837.  It  was  organized  under  the  present 
name  in  1849.  The  original  capital  was  $105,000.  The  first  ofheers  were  Daniel 
Hurtnett,  President,  and  James  M.  McLean,  Secretary. 

After  the  reorganization  in  1849,  the  capital  was  increased  to  $150,000,  and  in 
1864  to  $300,000,  its  present  hgure.  Mr.  McLean  was  made  President  in  i860,  and 
the  same  year  Mr.  IL  A.  Whdton  was  elected  Secretary.  In  1880  Mr.  Walton  was 
made  \hce-President  and  I'rank  M.  Ikirker  Secretary.  Air.  AIcLean  resigned  in  1886, 
to  become  President  of  the  Manhattan  Life  Insurance  Company,  and  was  succeeded  as 
President  by  Air.  AAhdton.  Then  George  II.  AIcLean  was  elected  Ah'ce-President.  This 
company  has  received  in  jiremiums  since  organization  $14, 331,957,  has  paid  in  losses 
$7,670, 546,  and  has  paid  cash  dividends  of  $1,950, 577.  It  had  at  risk  at  the  close  of 
1894  ’^7-' 799’ 4 ' /•  Citizens’  is  now  conducting  its  entire  business  from  the  home 

office,  having  agencies  in  the  New  Pingland,  Aliddle  and  AATstern  States. 

George  II.  AIcLean,  A'ice-President  of  the  comjiany,  is  a man  of  enterprise  and 
perseverance  and  he  has  given  a decided  impetus  to  the  business.  Born  in  New  AMrk 
City,  November  24,  1849,  he  has  lieen  a resident  of  that  city  nearly  all  his  life  and  has 
a pleasant  home  at  126  \\Tst  57th  Street.  His  father,  James  AI.  AIcLean,  was  a man 
of  more  than  ordinary  ability  and  of  inexhaustilde  resources.  P'or  many  years  he  was 
President  of  the  Board  of  PTIucation,  the  Citizens’  Insurance  Company,  the  Alanhattan 
Life  Insurance  Conijiany  and  was  Ahee-President  of  the  Union  Trust  Company,  the 
Alanhattan  Savings  Institution  and  the  National  Citizens’  Bank.  He  was  connected 
with  many  public  institutions. 

In  addition  to  a good  practical  education,  George  H.  AIcLean  attended  Columbia 
College  for  some  time,  and  was  then  with  the  Citizens’  Insurance  Company  for  several 
years.  Failing  health  caused  him  to  leave  this  countiy  for  Europe  and  he  there  spent 
some  time  in  travel,  first  for  health  and  afterward  for  jdeasure.  He  remaihed  in  that 
country  until  1882,  when  he  was  called  home  to  take  charge  of  the  Agency  Department 
of  Citizens’  Insurance  Company.  In  1886  he  was  made  Ahee-President  of  this  company. 

Air.  McLean  is  a director  m Alanhattan  Life  Insurance  Company,  Trustee  of 
Alanhattan  Savings  Institution,  and  is  connected  with  the  Aletropolitan  Aluseum  of  Art, 
National  Museum  of  Natural  History,  and  a member  of  the  Aletropolitan,  Calumet,  St. 
Nicholas,  Players’  and  other  clubs  in  New  A’ork  City.  He  is  also  a member  of  the 
Sons  of  American  Revolution,  and  St.  Nicholas  and  Delta  Psi  Societies. 

CHARLILS  SINCILETON  BARTOAV, 

I’RI'.Sl  DFX  r or  rilF  CnM.MnXWFAF  i n IXSURAXCF  CO.MI’AXV  OF  XFW  YORK. 

Charles  Singleton  Bartow,  President  of  the  Commonwealth  Insurance  Companv  of 
N('w  A'ork,  was  born  in  the  city  of  New  A’ork  on  July  20,  1855.  being  the  eldest  of 

42 


u 


T 1 [ E U X 1 ) E R W R I T E R 


the  fourteen  cliildren  of  John  A.  and  Mary  W.  P)arto\v.  He  is  of  the  Huguenot  family 
of  Bartows,  memlrers  of  which  have  resided  in  Westchester  County,  New  York,  for  the 
past  two  centuries.  He  married  in  1883  Rebecca  Perit  Lathrop,  and  they  have  several 
children.  At  school  he  was  always  an  ardent  student  and  graduated  head  of  his  class. 
In  business  he  has  been  a particularly  hard  worker  and  his  undertakings  have  uniformly 
resulted  successfully.  He  was  educated  at  Columbia  Grammar  School,  New  York,  and 
the  Grammar  School  of  St.  James  College  near  Hagerstown,  Maryland,  and  then  entered 
Columbia  College,  New  ’\Mrk,  but  left  the  latter  before  graduation  owing  to  his  father 
having  met  with  financial  losses.  Subset]uently,  when  in  business  for  himself,  he  entered 
and  graduated  from  the  Law  School  of  Columbia  College  with  the  degree  of  LL.  B., 
and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  as  an  attorney  and  counselor  at  law  in  1878.  He  began 
his  business  life  in  New  York  City  in  1871  with  Dowley,  Corners  & Co.,  old-school 
merchants  who  had  a large  business  with  foreign  countries,  with  whom  he  remained 
five  years,  starting  as  junior  clerk  and  rising  to  be  accountant,  corresjwndent  and  finally  buyer 
— buving  all  their  cargoes  and  having  charge  of  their  export  department.  He  then  in  1876 
was  offered  and  accepted  the  local  agency  of  a marine  insurance  company,  and  subsequently 
of  fire  insurance  companies  also,  and  for  ten  years  in  New  York  City  he  conducted 
an  insurance  agency  and  brokerage  business  on  his  own  account,  for  a time  practicing 
law  also,  but  eventually  relinquishing  the  latter  and  also  resigning  his  agencies  of  com- 
panies, owing  to  his  insurance  brokerage  business  having  grown  so  large  and  profitable 
that  it  demanded  his  undivided  attention.  He  then  in  1886  was  strongly  urged  by 
some  prominent  gentlemen  to  undertake  the  organization  of  the  Commonwealth  Insurance 
Company  of  New  York — which  he  did,  personally  raising  the  majority  of  the  capital 
stock  and  bringing  in  about  all  the  directors — and  it  is  in  connection  with  this  company 
and  its  success  that  he  is  best  known  as  a fire  underwriter.  He  in  1886  became  the 
Commonwealth’s  first  Secretary  and  Manager,  and  devoted  to  the  company  his  entire 
time  and  efforts,  of  which  the  Directors  showed  their  appreciation  l)y  promoting  him  in 
1892  to  a Vice-Presidency  and  in  1895  the  Presidency  of  the  company. 

The  Commonwealth  Insurance  Company  of  New  York  commenced  business 
September  15,  1886,  with  a particularly  strong  and  influential  Board  of  Directors.  The 
first  officers  were  i\I.  M.  Belding,  President;  Thos.  T.  IDrr,  \'ice-President,  and  Chas. 
S.  P>artow,  Secretary.  Now.  in  1896,  the  officers  are  Chas.  S.  P>artow,  President;  i\I.  iM. 
Belding,  \dce-President,  and  Thos.  T.  Barr,  2d  Vice-President.  Mr.  IDrtow  has  been 
underwriter  and  general  manager  of  the  company  since  its  organization.  The  Common- 
wealth has  the  distinction  of  l)eing  about  the  only  new  company  which  survived  the 
fiery  period  of  1887-93,  during  which  the  war  in  rates  and  excessive  losses  killed  oft  a 
dozen  new  comjxanies  and  over  eighty  old  stock  companies,  and  caused  so  many  of  the 
strongest  surviving  coirqxinies  to  show  a serious  loss  of  surplus.  The  Commonwealth 
made  a little  money  even  in  that  trying  i^eriod,  and  more  recently  has  earned  excellent 
jirofits.  d'he  Commonwealth  has  done  only  a small  business,  l)ut  has  endeavored  to  do 
a careful  and  conservative  one,  ]iaying  pai'ticular  attention  to  the  inspection  and  selection 
of  its  risks,  and  seeking  profits  and  not  merel}’  premiums.  Considering  only  the 
combined  losses  and  exjienses  and  the  underwriting  jirolit  upon  the  premiums,  the 
Commonwealth’s  percentage  of  underwriting  profit  has  been  a]iproximately  7 jier  cent 
since  organization  in  1886,  14  per  cent  the  last  three  }'ears,  and  28  jier  cent  the  last 

year.  In  addition  to  the  conqiany's  paid-up  cash  capital  of  5500,000.00,  its  net  surplus 
on  January  1,  i8()6,  was  5103,167.49 — the  latter  having  been  set  aside  out  of  profits 
earned  in  the  period  mentioned. 


(;rSTA\‘  \\'()LLAb:GKR. 


SKCRK'l'ARV  OF  TIIK  CONCORDIA  I- IRE  INSURANCE  COMI'ANV,  OE  MILWAUKEE,  WISCONSIN. 

livery  student  of  American  history  must  admit  that  of  all  those  who,  from  various 
reasons,  have  left  their  native  land  and  sought  these  hospitable  shores — some  for  an 
asylum  of  freedom,  some  for  an  easier  way  of  earning  the  necessaries  of  life — none 
have  jiroved  to  he  more  industrious,  more  thrifty,  or  more  reliable  than  the  sons  and 
daughters  of  the  land  of  the  Jvhine  and  the  Danube.  I'he  (Terman  element  has  always 
been  a source  of  strength  to  America;  and  (fustav  WAillaeger  is  a fair  representative 
of  the  Teutonic  race.  lie  was  born  at  the  city  of  Plathe,  in  the  northern  part  of 
(iermany,  near  the  Baltic  Sea,  Ajiril  6,  1836,  and  of  the  six  children,  four  sons  and  two 
daughters,  that  blessed  the  marriage  of  Johann  Wollaeger  and  Christine  Spiering,  he  was 
second  in  order  of  birth. 

The  ]uiblic  schools  of  I’lathe  furnished  young  Wollaeger  with  a fair  education,  and 
later  he  took  up  the  study  of  theology,  first  privately,  and  later  in  the  high  schools  of 
Bavaria  and  Leipsic.  His  intention  was  to  go  East  as  a missionary,  but  differences  in 
opinion  and  doctrines  caused  him  to  leave  the  Mission  Society  of  Leipsic  and  cross  the 
ocean  to  America  in  1858.  In  September  of  that  year  he  reached  this  country  and 
accepted  the  ministry  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  St.  IMul’s  Church,  of  Alihvaukee,  a 
congregation  lielonging  to  the  Synod  of  Ifufialo,  serving  in  that  capacity  for  about  nine 
years.  Difficulties  in  the  Svnod,  of  which  he  was  I’resident,  and  sickness  in  his  family 
caused  his  resignation. 

In  the  winter  of  1870  the  Concordia  Eire  Insurance  Company,  of  Milwaukee, 
Whsconsin,  was  organized  with  a cajhtal  stock  of  $200,000,  the  officers  elected  being 
j.  II.  Insbusch,  President,  and  G.  Wollaeger,  Secretary.  The  latter  took  an  active 
part  in  the  organization,  and  has  held  the  jiosition  of  Secretary  since.  He  is 
energetic,  thoroughly  reliable,  and  well  posted  on  all  that  relates  to  insurance.  Mr. 
Wollaeger  has  traveled  all  over  the  United  States,  and  in  1892  made  a trip  through 
his  native  country,  which  he  had  not  seen  for  thirty-four  years.  He  is  satisfied  with 
this  countrv,  however,  and  is  a citizen  heart  and  soul,  there  lieing  nothing  he  is  more 
proud  of  than  his  adopted  land. 

Mr.  Wollaeger  was  first  married  to  Miss  Emilie  Koehler  in  1859.  She  died  in 
1865,  after  years  of  sickness,  leaving  no  children.  In  1867,  after  having  accepted  a 
jiosition  of  bookkeeper  in  the  hardware  Imsiness  of  John  Pritzlaff,  he  married  i\Iiss 
Henrietta  Thomas,  of  Milwaukee,  who  is  still  living  and  the  mother  of  seven  children — 
Lydia,  Alma,  Paul,  Gustav,  Emilie,  Theckla  and  John. 


THE  DEEAWARh:  INSURANXE  CO^IPANV  OE  PIHEADEEPHI A. 

riiis  company  was  organized  in  Delaware  County,  near  the  town  of  Chester,  in 
the  winter  of  1834-35,  and  its  charter  apjiroved  liy  the  Legislature  of  Pennsylvania  on 
the  loth  dav  of  .\pril,  1835.  office  was  in  the  double  dwelling  at  the  north- 

east corner  of  'Third  and  Market  streets,  Chester,  but  in  1838  the  directors  and  stock- 
holders of  the  companv  resolved  to  remove  the  principal  office  of  the  comjiany  to 
Philadelidiia,  leaving  only  an  agency  at  Chester. 

The  substantial  double  brown  stone  building  at  the  southeast  corner  Third  and 


48 


T II  F.  U N I ) E R W RITE  R. 


Walnut  streets,  Philadelphia,  was  built  by  the  company  and  occupied  in  April,  1855. 
For  over  forty  years,  therefore,  it  has  occupied  its  present  most  eligible  and  con- 
venient offices  in  its  own  building  in  this  active  center  of  the  City  of  Brotherly  Love. 
For  many  years  the  company  was  active  and  successful  in  marine  underwriting,  but 
with  the  disappearance  of  American  commerce  from  the  high  seas,  marine  underwriting 
became  unprofitable,  and  of  late  the  Delaware  is  known  principally  as  a fire  company, 
having  reduced  its  marine  acceptances  to  a minimum. 

Mr.  George  Serrill  was  the  first  President,  being  succeeded  September  5,  1842, 
by  Mr.  William  Fyre,  Jr.,  and  he  in  turn  by  Mr.  William  Martin,  Jr.,  on  January  3, 
1844.  Mr.  Martin  served  the  Delaware  faithfully  for  eighteen  ) ears,  and  was  succeeded 
by  Mr.  Thomas  C.  Hand,  whose  long  service  of  twenty-eight  years  was  terminated  by 
his  death  in  1890. 

Mr.  Hand’s  successor,  Col.  Tattnall  Paulding,  is  now  the  executive  of  the  company. 
Mr.  Henry  Lylburn,  the  present  Secretary  of  the  Delaware,  was  elected  to  that 
position  in  1854,  and  his  faithful  service  extends  over  forty-one  years. 

The  name  of  the  Delaware  has  always  been  synonymous  with  its  motto  of 
“Just  — Prompt — Certain.”  It  has  paid  in  losses  over  eighteen  million  dollars,  the 
largest  single  loss  l)eing  l)y  the  Boston  fire  of  1872,  which  cost  the  company  $370, 205. 


COL.  TATTNALL  PAULDING 

PRESIDENT  OF  THE  DELAWARE  INSURANCE  COMPANY. 

Col.  Tattnall  Paulding  is  President  of  the  Delaware  Insurance  Company  of 

Philadelphia.  His  career  is  characterized  by  particularly  interesting  associations  and 
incidents.  He  is  a son  of  the  late  Rear  Admiral  Paulding,  and  grandson  of  the  famous 
John  Paulding,  who  was  one  of  the  captors  of  IMajor  Andre  during  the  war  of  the 
Revolution.  Colonel  Paulding  was  born  at  Huntington,  Long  Island,  in  1840,  and 
received  the  principal  part  of  his  education  at  Ashland  Hall,  Montclair,  New  Jersey. 

Much  as  we  may  rail  against  hero-worship,  much  as  we  may  proclaim  that  we 
are  a people  loving  peace,  there  is  a magic  power  in  the  clash  of  arms,  and  all  our 
hearts  turn  warmly  toward  a military  hero.  At  the  first  call  for  troops  in  April,  1861, 

young  Paulding  enlisted  in  the  famous  Seventh  Regiment  of  New  York,  and  proceeded 

with  it  into  active  service.  On  the  14th  of  the  following  month,  however,  he  was 

commissioned  as  a Lieutenant  in  the  Sixth  Regular  Cavalry,  and  served  with  that 
command  all  through  the  war,  participating  in  the  various  memorable  battles  of  the 

Army  of  the  Potomac.  He  was  taken  prisoner  on  the  third  day  of  the  destructive 
battle  of  Gettysburg,  and  for  about  nine  months  experienced  all  the  horrors  of  Libby 
Prison.  Ujion  his  liberation  he  returned  to  his  regiment  and  continued  with  it  in  acti\'e 
service  until  July,  1866,  when  he  located  in  Philadelphia,  h.is  father  being  then  Ciovernor 

of  the  Naval  Home  there.  In  the  meantime  he  had  been  promoted  through  various 

ranks  to  that  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  by  lircvet. 

Wdiile  a resident  of  Philadeljdiia  Colonel  Paulding  began  the  study  of  law,  which 
he  at  length  relincjuished  in  order  to  go  into  active  business.  His  fire  insurance 

connections  date  from  the  year  1870.  He  has  been  a successful  underwriter  in  the 
various  fields  which  have  lieen  assigned  to  him.  and  takes  pride  in  the  business.  In 
the  month  of  September,  1890,  Colonel  Paulding  was  elected  President  of  the  Delaware 


5(1 


THE  L'  X 1 ) E R \V  R 1 T E ]>L 


Insurance  Company  of  rhiladelplua,  and  now  holds  that  })osition.  This  company  was 
organized  in  i8j;5:  caidtal,  The  Secretary  is  M.  L\ll)urn.  Mr.  Paulding  is 

a manager  of  the  Ciermantown  Savings  h'und  and  the  Mercantile  Beneficial  Association, 
and  he  is  trustee  of  the  Penn  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company. 

CHARLKS  HERlBvRT  YARNALL, 


\ICE-l’RKSII)E\r  DEE.VWAKE  INSURANCE  CO.MI’ANV. 

The  practical  value  of  shrewdness  and  discrimination  combined  with  strict  probity 
is  exemplified  in  the  jirosperous  condition  of  the  Delaware  Insurance  Company  of 
Philadelphia.  This  company  was  organized  in  1836.  The  officers  at  the  present  time 
are  T.  Paulding,  President;  C.  II.  Yarnall,  Vice-lh'esident,  and  II.  Lyllnirn,  Secretary. 
This  is  an  able  and  e(}uitabl_y  conducted  company  and  is  a favorite  with  those  carrying 
large  lines  on  all  insurable  propertv.  Charles  H.  ’Sdirnall,  \dce-President  of  the  above, 
is  a native  of  Philadel}dtia,  l)orn  July  21,  1852,  and  has  Iteen  a resident  of  that  city  all 
his  life. 

Ilis  father,  Rev.  Thomas  C.  ’i'arnall,  1).  I).,  came  from  old  Quaker  stock,  but 
early  in  life  he  left  the  b'riends  and,  after  graduating  from  Yale,  entered  the  University 
of  the  ITotestant  Episcopal  Church.  He  is  now  Rector  of  St.  Mary's  Church,  West 
Philadelphia— a position  he  has  held  for  over  fifty-one  years — and  now,  although  nearly 
eighty  years  old,  is  very  active  and  preaches  every  Sunday.  The  maternal  grandfather 
was  a prominent  physician  of  Philadeljdna  and  the  great-grandfather  was  one  of  the 
early  Presidents  of  the  American  Fire  Insurance  Company  of  that  city. 

Charles  II.  Yarnall  is  one  of  nine  children,  six  sons  and  three  daughters,  all  of 
whom  are  now  living.  He  was  thoroughly  educated  at  the  Episcojial  and  Mantua 
Academies,  and  after  leaving  school  first  entered  a clothing  house,  where  he  remained 
about  a year.  Eater  he  accepted  a position  with  a produce  commission  house  and 
continued  with  the  same  until  the  year  1871.  In  January  of  that  year  he  made  another 
change,  entering  the  office  of  the  Delaware  Mutual  Safety  Insurance  Company,  and 
gradually  arose  to  chief  clerk  of  the  fire  department.  That  position  he  held  until  the 
company  was  re-organized  in  1890,  when,  to  his  surprise,  he  was  elected  its  \dce- 
President,  a jiosition  he  has  since  held. 

In  1891  he  was  sent  to  the  Pacific  Coast  to  look  over  the  field  and  apjxiint  a 
Ceneral  Agent  for  that  section.  He  selected  Mr.  Rolla  Watt,  under  whose  wise 
guidance  the  company  did  a very  satisfactory  business  on  the  coast  until  he  accepted 
a j'losition  with  the  Royal  Insurance  Company.  On  account  of  the  great  demoralization 
of  the  business  in  June,  1891,  the  company  withdrew  from  the  coast,  reinsuring 
its  entire  business  with  the  St.  Paul  Eire  and  Marine  Insurance  Compan}-. 

Mr.  ^'arnall  is  a member  of  the  Hamilton  Wdiist  Club,  being  a great  lover  of  the 
game,  and  is  a player  on  the  veteran  eleven  of  the  Belmont  Cricket  Club.  For  a number 
of  )’ears  he  has  been  a memlier  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  and  is  at  jn'esent 
choirmaster  at  St.  Mary’s,  having  a cluiir  of  fort}  -two  voices,  men  and  bens.  In  politics 
he  is  a Rejiublican  and  an  earnest  advocate  of  the  ju'incijdes  of  that  party.  His  marriage 
with  Miss  Anne  Hoppin  Jones  occurred  |une  c),  1881,  and  of  the  three  children  born 
to  this  union  only  one.  a son  nine  vears  old,  is  now  li\ing.  .Mr.  ^’arnaIl  is  about  five 
feet  eight  and  a half  inches  in  height,  and  weighs  one  hundred  and  ninetv-five  jiounds. 
He  is  not  a ])essimist  bv  any  means,  but  on  the  contrary  always  looks  on  the  bright 
side  of  life. 


JAMIES  JACKSON  CLARK, 

VICE-PRESIDEX'r  DETROEl'  EIRE  AND  MARINE  INSL'RANCE  COMPANY. 

Insurance  has  pla}'ed  a most  important  part  in  the  development  of  the  United 
States.  Not  organized  to  Imild  or  to  manufacture  or  to  trade,  it  gives  confidence  to 
others  to  invest  capital  in  huildings,  manufactures  and  stores,  and  promises  to  recoup 
enterprises  in  case  hre  entails  loss  upon  it.  How  many  homes  and  businesses  have 
been  established  by  the  insurance  companies  over  the  wrecks  caused  by  fire?  How 
many  fortunes  have  been  restored  by  these  comjianies?  d'heir  influences  are  always 
beneficial  and  at  no  time  in  the  history  of  this  country  has  this  fact  been  more 
apjireciated  than  at  the  present  hour. 

The  Detroit  Fire  and  Marine  Insurance  Company  of  Michigan  is  one  of  the 
largest,  wealthiest  and  most  popular  institutions  of  the  kind  in  the  United  States.  The 
comjiany  has  ever  been  wise,  jirogressive  and  prudent  in  its  management,  and  the 
development  of  its  affairs  is  ecpial  to  any  in  the  history  of  fire  insurance.  It  was  organized 
in  1866  with  a cash  capital  stock  of  $100,000.  The  assets  at  the  present  time  are  $1,244,- 
191.26,  and  the  cash  capital  $500,000,  with  a net  surplus  of  $553,891.85.  Its  officers  are: 
Whlliam  xA.  Moore,  President;  James  J.  Clark,  Vice-President,  and  C.  L.  Andrews, 
Secretary.  The  advancement  of  this  company  has  lieen  uniform  except  in  1871,  when 
the  Chicago  fire  alisorbed  over  $200,000  of  its  cash,  and  the  same  three  days'  it  lost 
over  $90,000  in  Michigan  fires.  In  all  these  instances  its  losses  were  promptly  paid, 
insuring  it  a conspicuous  and  honorable  reputation. 

James  J.  Clark  is  a native  of  the  Empire  State,  born  at  Oswego,  October  i,  1833. 
For  some  time  now  he  has  made  his  home  in  Detroit,  Michigan.  He  is  a son  of  John 
Clark  and  Olive  (|ackson)  Clark,  and  the  grandson  of  Giles  Jackson,  who  was  a Colonel 
in  the  Revolutionary  Army,  and  officer  of  the  day  at  the  surrender  of  Burgoyne  at 
Saratoga,  October  16,  1777.  The  public  and  private  schools  of  Oswego  furnished  him 
with  his  primary  education,  and  he  subsequently  received  instruction  through  private 
tutors.  For  some  time  after  leaving  school  he  clerked  in  a book  and  stationery  store, 
but  on  the  14th  of  May,  1852,  he  became  connected  with  the  Northwest  Insurance 

Comjiany,  at  Oswego,  as  office  boy,  and  in  1865  resigned  the  secretaryship  of  that 

company  to  take  the  position  of  Assistant  Superintendent  of  Agencies  of  the  Harmony 
Fire  and  Marine  Insurance  Company  of  New  'Wrk  City. 

When  that  company  went  into  licjuidation  in  1867,  iMr.  Clark  entered  the  Home 

Insurance  Company’s  Office  in  New  hh>rk  City  as  Manager  of  its  Marine  Department, 
and,  in  1868,  acceiAed  the  secretaryship  of  the  Detroit  Fire  and  Marine-  Insurance 
Com|)any.  In  1891  he  was  elected  \hce-President  and  holds  that  office  at  the  present 
time.  Mr.  Clark  is  a 32d  degree  Mason.  Although  an  attendant  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church  he  is  liberal  in  his  religious  views,  as  he  is  in  jxilitics,  though  not  of 
the  order  of  16  to  i. 


THE  FOUITABUF  IHRF  AND  MARINE  INSURANCE  COMPANY,  OF 

PRO\'l DUNCE.  R.  I. 

I'he  Eijuitable  hhre  and  Marine  Insurance  Company  was  organized  in  the  year 
i860,  with  lion.  Thomas  G.  Turner  as  first  President,  and  Augustus  M.  Tower  its 
original  Secretar\-.  The  death  of  Governor  Turner  occurring  in  1875,  Mr.  h'rederick  W. 
.Arnold,  who  had  filled  the  position  of  Secretar\-  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Tower,  became 


T H E U N 1 ) K R W R I '1'  E R. 


T)4 

President  of  the  company  and  Air.  James  IE  'fillin^hast  was  made  Secretary.  'I'liese 
present  officers  have  I)een  continuously  in  the  service  of  the  compan\-  since  their  bovhood. 

d'his  company  is  all  that  a fire  insurance  company  should  he — strong,  liberal  and 
prompt,  amply  able  to  meet  all  its  liabilities,  generous  in  its  dealings,  and  ready  to  pay 
all  honest  claims  as  soon  as  adjusted.  In  the  year  1872  the  company,  with  net  assets 

of  less  than  $350, 000,  sustained  and  paid  losses  by  the  great  Boston  conflagration  of 

over  $300, 000.  From  the  date  of  its  organization  it  has  endeavored  to  merit  the 
confidence  of  the  insuring  public  l>y  being  true  to  its  name,  and  the  efforts  of  the 

management  have  been  well  supported  by  a corps  of  loyal  agents. 

In  the  Western  States  the  business  of  the  “Equitable,”  in  connection  with  that 
of  the  “Merchants  of  Ih'ovidence,  ” is  conducted  in  the  name  of  the  “Rhode  Island 

Underwriters’  Association.”  Mr.  Arnold  is  the  Manager  of  the  Association.  He  has 
also  for  several  vears  been  Treasurer  of  the  National  Iffiard  of  Underwriters. 

VAKRM'iVT  FIRE  INSURANCE  COAIPANY,  OE  NEW  YORK. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  in  the  I'all  and  Winter  of  1871  and  1S72,  after  the 
great  Chicago  fire,  many  fire  insurance  comjianies  were  organized  to  take  the  places 
of  those  retiring  from  business  in  conseijuence  of  that  great  conflagration.  Of  all  those 
companies  only  two  are  at  the  present  date  in  active  liusiness,  viz.,  the  German  Anierican 
and  Earragut.  Of  the  German  American,  its  record  speaks  for  itself.  ()f  the  Farragut, 
an  outline  of  its  history  since  January,  1872,  can  be  given  in  a tew  words.  It  was 
organized  and  commenced  business  in  |anuary,  1872,  with  the  late  John  AI.  Furman, 
President:  the  late  Whlliam  A.  Gobi),  as  Adce-President ; John  IE  Eeflingwell  (its  present 
President)  as  Secretary,  and  Samuel  Darbee  (its  present  \hce-President  and  Secretar}) 
as  Assistant  Secretary.  I'rom  its  commencement  its  operations  (as  an  underwriting 
association)  have  been  under  the  guidance  and  control  of  the  jaesent  executive  officers, 
and  the  record  shows  a measure  of  success  that  must  have  been  gratifying  to  its 
stockholders.  The  record  as  taken  from  statements  made  to  the  Insurance  Dejiartment 
shows  that  in  twenty-four  years  the  I'arragut  has  received  in  premiums  over  three  and  a- 
half  millions:  has  jiaid  for  losses  over  one  and  three  cjuarter  millions,  has  returned 
to  its  stockholders  over  one  half  million  dollars  in  dividends,  has  its  capital  intact, 
with  full  reinsurance  fund  and  a handsome  surplus.  It  has  never  failed  to  pay 

a semi-annual  dividend  since  the  year  of  its  organization,  and  the  average  of  such 

yearly  dividends  has  been  loyj  per  cent.  Its  policy  has  always  been  most 

conservative  and  the  influence  of  its  officials  has  always  been  in  favor  of  honorable, 
business-like  methods  in  the  conduct  of  the  fire  insurance  business.  It  has  ne^'er 
favored  the  idea  that  volume  of  l)usiness  was  to  be  desired  regardless  of  rates. 

Neither  has  its  considered  it  wise  or  just  to  seek  business  by  unfair  competition.  It 
has  been  the  (policy  of  the  comjiany  to  write  moder  ite  lines,  to  see  that  risks  were  well 
scattered  so  that  no  ordinar}’  fire  could  cause  an\-  excessive  loss,  and  to  watch  carefullv 
as  to  the  moral  hazard  involved  in  aiu'  application  for  insurance.  Tlie  results  so  far 
have  been  most  satisfactory,  and  it  is  believed  that,  with  Ijetter  rates,  “bettc'r  fire 
de}iartments,  ” “more  careful  attention  to  Iniildings  by  the  various  local  boards,”  and 
wiser  counsels  beginning  to  control  the  insurance  fraternity  throughout  the  countr_\-,  it 
may  reasonably  be  expected  that  the  future  will  show  ecjually  satisfactorv  results.  Its 
present  t'xccutive  offfcc'rs  are  John  IE  Eeffingwell,  President:  Samuel  Darbee,  \dce- 
Presickmt  and  Secretar)-,  and  Alonzo  Eewis,  .Assistant  Secretary. 


FIKK  ASSOCIATION  OF  PI  I ILAl  )ELFI  IIA. 


1 he  Fire  Association  of  Philadelphia  is  one  of  the  most  trustworthy  insurance 
corporations  ever  constituted.  Its  repute  for  superlati\e  excellencies  is  worldwide.  The 
Association,  as  an  insurance  company,  was  not  so  much  an  organization  as  a growth 
from  the  volunteer  fire  department  of  the  city.  Its  fire  insurance  business  was  conducted 
for  the  purpose  of  supporting  the  organization,  and  the  a)'>paratus  and  ju'operty  of  the 

fire  companies  were  pledged  as  securities  for  their  policies,  as  well  as  the  personal 

credit  of  the  trustees.  The  F'ire  Association  was  organized  Sejitember  i,  1817,  and  a 
charter  was  granted  March  27,  1820,  Init  it  was  not  until  1833  that  the  legislature  so 
amended  the  charter  as  to  relieve  the  trustees  from  personal  liabilities.  Its  first 
President  was  Michael  Fox,  and  the  original  Secretary  was  Caleb  Carmelt.  This 

probably  the  only  proprietary  company  in  existence  which  Ijegan  business  without  a 
dollar  paid  in  or  subscribed. 

The  business  was  purely  a local  one  until  1838,  when  the  charter  was  so  amended 
as  to  permit  the  Association  to  transact  a general  insurance  business.  When,  in  1870, 
the  city  established  a paid  fire  department,  the  Fire  Association  became  a stock  company, 
with  a capital  of  $500,000,  and  its  stock  was  distributed  among  the  forty-eight  companies 
comprising  the  Association,  and  either  divided  among  the  members  or  sold  for  their 

benefit.  The  great  IMiiladelphia  fire  of  1850  marked  an  event  in  the  diistory  of  the 

I'ire  Association.  F'inding  itself  with  but  $100,000  to  meet  its  losses  in  that  fire,  its 

thirteen  trustees  forthwith  issued  a joint  note,  making  themselves  individually  liable, 
secured  the  ready  money,  and  paid  all  losses  in  full  in  cash.  This  prompt  action 
elicited  the  conhdence  and  sympathy  of  the  community,  the  result  being  that  business 
poured  in  and  the  accumulations  of  thirty-three  years  that  had  been  burned  were  replaced 
in  four  years. 

X’olunteer  fire  companies  became  a memory  on  January  3,  1871,  when  the  F'ire 
Hureau  was  added  to  the  official  departments  of  IMiiladelphia.  The  F'ire  Association  was 
adjusted  to  the  revolution,  modeled  anew,  and  its  stock  went  up  with  a bound.  No 
cause  is  this  for  amazement.  On  the  company's  capital  of  $500,000  the  dividends, 
forty  per  cent,  are  unequaled  in  the  circle  of  insurance,  while  the  assets  are  at  this 

time  $5,581,243.06.  The  present  officers  of  this  vast  concern  are:  E.  C.  Irvin,  President, 

and  B.  T.  Herkness,  Secretary. 


E.  C.  IRVIN 


TRESIDEXT  OE  THE  EIRE  ASS(  )CE\TI(  )X  OE  P 1 1 lEADE 1 ,1TI T A. 

Mr.  Fi.  C.  Irvin  had  held  the  office  of  \dce- President  of  the  b'ire  Association 
from  1884  up  to  1891,  when  he  was  elected  to  the  presidency.  Seldom  has  a fire 
underwriter  more  deserved  promotion.  When  he  first  became  its  \’ice-President  he 
found  that  he  had  undertaken  a large  task.  For  several  years  jn'ior  to  1884  the 
venerable  institution  had  been  progressing  backward.  It  had  maintainetl  many  small 
general  agencies,  and  as  the  losses  and  expenses  considerablv  exceeded  100  in  1881, 
’82  and  ’83,  the  dividends  had  commenced  an  inroad  on  the  net  surjdus.  Mr.  Irvin  at 
once  proceeded  to  reorganize  the  agency  system,  giving  attention  to  the  loss  ratit) 
meanwhile,  d'he  second  year  of  his  vice-presidency  was  marked  Iw  a large  reduction  in 
losses,  and  the  )-ear  following  the  surplus  commenced  to  recuperate.  The  ju'ogress 
steadily  continued  from  that  time  on,  which  means  that  the  Fire  Association  has  grown 

.■jC) 


r 1 1 K X I ) ]-:  R W R I T R R. 


r>8 

stron<:jer,  larger  and  Ijetter  from  then  till  now.  Referring  to  the  figures  of  seven  years 
ago,  we  find  that  Mr.  Irvin  has  already  added  threeoiuarters  of  a million  to  the 
company’s  assets  and  a half  million  to  its  net  surplus,  besides  jiaying  annual  dividends 
of  fortv  per  cent.  He  was  l)orn  near  I Iarrisl)urg,  Pa.,  May  22,  1839,  and  when  a vouth 
taught  school.  Leaving  this  for  the  iron  business,  he  soon  became  Manager  of  tlie 
cc'lebrated  Duncannon  Iron  Company,  and  continued  as  such  for  several  years.  The 
experience  he  obtained  in  this  business  eminently  fitted  him  as  a fire  underwriter  and 
his  SLibseciuent  career  has  demonstrated  his  ability  in  that  line.  In  1869  he  engaged 
in  the  insurance  business  as  Special  Agent  bn'  Pennsylvania  of  the  Germania  Phre  of 
\ew  York,  with  which  he  remained  until  the  fall  of  1874.  He  then  became  General 
.\gent  of  the  Phcenix,  of  Hartford,  making  his  headquarters  in  Philadelphia,  and,  with 
the  excejition  of  New  \\)rk,  covered  all  the  territory  along  the  Atlantic  coast  from  Lake 
Lrie  to  the  Gull.  He  continued  with  the  Phcjenix,  doing  most  excellent  work  as 
Inspector,  Adjuster  and  Agency  Manager  until  F'ebruary,  1884,  when  he  was  offered  and 
accepted  the  \hce-presidency  of  the  I'ire  Association,  a position  he  held  until  elected 
President  of  the  same. 

P)KNJAMIN  TIILODORL  IHtRKNESS 

SKCRK'I'.^RV  OF  'nil-;  FIRK  ASSOCIATION  OF  I’l  1 1 FAt)  K I.F  1 1 1 A. 

riiere  are  few  men  who  show  such  fitness  for  their  avocation,  in  that  they  are 
wide-awake,  progressive  and  relialde,  as  Benjamin  I . Herkness,  Secretary  and  Treasurer 
of  the  h'ire  Association  of  Philadelphia.  P'or  many  years  he  has  had  jM'actical  exj^erience 
in  the  insurance  business,  and  as  an  underwriter  is  well  known.  Mr.  Herkness  was 
born  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  May  31,  1843,  resided  in  that  city  all  his 

life.  His  father,  P>.  Leander  Herkness,  is  now  living,  but  the  mother,  Mary  J.  (Lodor) 
Herkness,  died  in  1871. 

B.  Leander  Herkness  and  his  Inother,  Alfred  M.,  originated  the  horse  auction 
business  in  Philadelphia  earl}’  in  the  forties,  by  holding  regular  weekly  sales.  Later 
they  became  the  largest  imjiorters  of  Jersey  and  Guernsey  cattle,  Shetland  jionies,  etc., 
in  the  state.  In  his  lioyhood  days  he  attended  the  juiblic  schools  and  then  took  an 
ordinary  course  in  the  Central  High  School.  His  career  at  school  was  a little  out  of 
the  ordinary,  for  he  was  sent  home  and  suspended  (juite  frequently.  A week  after 
lea\'ing  school  he  entered  the  employ  of  “James  B.  Rodgers  Ihinting  Company,"  as 
he  was  anxious  to  get  a jiractical  business  experience,  and  one  }’ear  later,  or  in  1861, 
left  that  conqyany  because  they  would  not  admit  him  to  the  firm. 

In  1871  Mr.  Herkness  entered  the  employ  of  the  Fire  Association  with  general 
duties  in  the  home  oflice,  and  adyanced  stej')  by  step  until  he  was  elected  Secretary 
and  Treasurer  in  1890.  Mr.  Herkness  was  made  Past  Grand  of  the  Odd  Fellows  in 
1889,  and  is  a Mason,  a member  of  Blue  Lodge,  Chajiter  and  Commandery.  He  has 
tra\eled  o\er  the  eastern  jyart  of  the  United  States  and  oyer  the  British  Isles.  In 
religion  he  is  a Presliyterian,  having  joined  that  church  in  1862.  In  politics  a Republican. 

()n  llu'  2d  of  Ajnil,  1874,  he  married  Miss  \ irginia  Palmer  I'ield,  of  a prominent 
family  of  Penns^  K ama.  Mr.  Herkness  has  always  been  associated  with  musical  organ- 
izations, is  a member  of  Mendelssohn  Club,  of  which  he  was  \'ice-President  and 
President  and  of  which  he  is  now  “honoraiA’  member,”  the  first  and  onlv  one  the  club 
ever  had.  He  is  also  a member  of  Utojuan  Club,  of  Philadeljdiia. 


WILLIAM  II.  CUNNINGHAM 


WESTERN  MANAGER  (_)F  THE  EIRE  ASSOCIATION  OF  I’l  1 1 1.AI  )E  LIT  1 1 A,  PENNSYLVANIA. 

The  record  of  William  H.  Cunningham’s  life  is  one  of  interest,  for  it  shows  what 
can  be  accomplished  when  one  possesses  the  determination  to  forge  ahead  and  has  the 
wisdom  to  make  the  most  of  the  opportunities  which  present  themselves.  In  the  midst 
of  the  failures  and  disasters  of  life  it  is  a jdeasure  to  review  his  career  and  recognize 
the  push  and  determination  which  have  been  brought  to  bear  to  yield  such  good  returns. 
Mr.  Cunningham’s  services  as  Manager  of  the  b'ire  Association  of  Philadelphia,  Penn- 
sylvania, have  been  characterized  by  a noticeable  devotion  to  the  welfare  of  the  company 
and  for  integrity  and  fidelity  to  every  trust. 

lie  claims  Pennsylvania  as  his  native  State  and  was  born  in  Harrisburg,  November 
6,  183S.  After  receiving  a good,  practical  education  in  the  common  schools,  he  entered 
Harrisburg  Academy,  where  he  remained  one  term.  Later  he  moved  to  Dubuque,  Iowa, 
and  in  April,  1859,  engaged  in  the  insurance  Imsiness  with  Mr.  Allison,  who  was  at 
that  time  local  agent,  representing  the  Unity  of  London,  Continental  of  New  York, 
Security  of  New  hhirk,  Phenix  of  Brooklyn,  and  others.  From  that  time  up  to  1862 
he  gained  much  valuable  experience  in  insurance  matters,  and  became  well  known  as  a 
wide-awake,  thorough-going  man  of  affairs. 

In  the  month  of  June,  1862,  he  went  to  Chicago,  and  was  the  first  clerk  employed 
by  J.  R.  Payson,  who  at  that  time  established  the  Western  Department  of  the  Securit}' 
Insurance  Company  of  New  York.  His  unusual  business  acumen  and  great  industry 
resulted  in  his  being  made  Assistant  General  Agent  in  1864,  and  in  1867-  he  succeeded 
to  the  Western  management  of  the  company.  With  man\-  other  substantial  companies 
the  Security  succumlied  to  the  large  losses  caused  by  the  great  fire  of  Chicago  in 
October  of  the  year  1871. 

In  1872  Mr.  Cunningham  was  made  General  Agent  ot  the  Fire  Association  and 
American  b'ire  Insurance  Company,  both  of  Philadelphia,  the  latter  withdrawing  its 
dejiartment  in  1884,  the  Fire  Association  continuing  up  to  the  present  time.  In  his 
conduct  of  insurance  matters  and  in  the  various  relations  of  life  Mr.  Cunningham  has 
acquired  a worthy  name,  and,  although  he  is  but  just  in  the  prime  of  life,  is  old  in 
exjierience.  He  is  alive  to  all  the  general  topics  of  the  day,  takes  considerable  interest 
in  [Hiblic  affairs,  and  has  many  warm  friends.  He  is  a memlier  of  the  Ihfion  League 
and  Kenwood  clubs  of  Chicago. 


FIREMAN’S  FlTNl) 


THE  INSIDE  HISTORY  OE  CAEIE(  )R\I a’s  GREA  TEST  INSURANCE  COMPANY. 

Underwritin^C  while  of  ancient  origin  as  a protector  of  maritime  ventures,  is  of 
comparatively  recent  development  so  far  as  fire  insurance  is  concerned.  Particularly  is 
this  the  case  in  California,  where  history  is  all  young. 

Thirty-four  years  ago  hut  one  local  lire  insurance  company  e.xisted  in  California — 
the  San  Francisco  Insurance  Company — a small  concern  writing  no  risks  outside  the 
city  of  San  Francisco. 

At  this  time  Wm.  Iloldredge,  a man  of  fertile  brain  but  no  underwriting  knowledge, 
conceived  the  idea  of  organizing  a local  fire  insurance  company  to  do  a general  business 
throughout  the  coast  in  all  cities  having  lire  departments,  and  to  be  called  the  Fireman’s 
Fund  Insurance  Company. 

lie  broached  the  subject  to  several  merchants,  Iiy  whom  it  was  favorably  regarded, 
and  on  August  15,  1S62,  the  incorporation  papers  were  filed. 

It  appears,  however,  that  something  jirevented  the  perfecting  of  this  organization 
at  that  time,  for  on  May  3,  1863,  new  incorporation  pajicrs  were  executed  and  hied  by 
the  following  named  parties: 

Henry  Dutton,  Daniel  N.  Dreed,  A.  Ilimmelmann,  R.  II.  Waller,  Joseph  H.  Moore, 
James  II.  Cutter,  Michael  Lynch  and  William  Iloldredge,  names  well  known  to  the 
older  residents  of  San  Francisco,  but  all  of  whom  have,  we  think,  now  passed  over  to 
the  silent  majority. 

These  incorporators  evidently  thought  that  “in  a multitude  of  counselors  there  is 
safety,”  for  its  $200,000  of  capital  was  intrusted  to  the  management  of  a board  of 
fiftv  directors. 

In  scanning  this  list  we  hnd  the  names  of  many  who  were  formerly  and  some 
who  are  still  jirominent  in  our  community.  John  ILarton,  Samuel  Brannan,  E.  Detrick, 
Henry  L.  Dodge,  Arthur  M.  Fblrets,  James  C.  Flood,  B.  M.  Hartshorne,  A.  C.  Nichols, 
W'illiam  Norris,  James  Phelan,  Louis  P.  Sage,  Captain  John  Short,  Da\id  Scannell, 
J.  M.  Shotwell  and  J.  C.  L.  Wadsworth  were  all  included  in  the  list. 

Mr.  Barton  has  ever  since  and  still  holds  the  jdace  as  a director  and  member  of 
the  company’s  executive  committee. 

Our  late  Governor,  Washington  Bartlett,  then  CMunty  Clerk,  attested  and  filed  the 
document.  Whlliam  Iloldredge  was  elected  Ih'esident  and  Charles  R.  Bond,  the  then 
retiring  City  and  County  Assessor,  was  chosen  Secretary. 

The  organization  of  the  Fireman’s  Fund  Insurance  Company  illustrates  the  fact 
that  underwriting  was  then  a matter  of  exjieriment,  rather  than  a science,  for,  like  man}- 
other  jiioneer  institutions,  this  company  was  launched  with  the  idea  of  operating  upon 
a patent  plan,  which  was  afterward  found  to  be  entirely  impracticable.  This  idea,  which 
doubtless  suggested  the  name,  was  to  donate  a portion  of  its  net  earnings  from  each 
city  to  the  charitable  fund  of  the  volunteer  lire  department  of  that  citv,  and  then  bv 
prominently  displaying  upon  each  house  insured  by  it  a tin  jdate  liearing  the  legend, 
“Insured  in  the  Fireman’s  Fund,”  they  calculated  to  secure  the  undivided  efforts  of 
the  lire  boys  to  protect  that  particular  building,  to  the  neglect  and  confusion  of  those 
not  so  fortunate  as  to  possess  one  of  these  patent  fireproof  policies. 

At  the  end  of  the  first  year,  the  impracticability  of  this  plan  Iieing  apparent,  Mr. 
Iloldredge  resigned  to  organize  another  insurance  company  upon  another  patent  scheme, 

()i 


1'  I r E IT  N D E R W R I T E R. 


f.'2 

and  Samuel  II.  Parker,  a prominent  and  very  popular  citizen,  was  elected  President.  The 
company  prosjiered  under  the  new  management,  and  on  April  4,  1865,  its  capital  was 
increased  from  $200,000  to  $500,000,  the  charitalrle  fund  donation  feature  was  aljandoned 
cmd  the  compan^■  settled  down  to  legitimate  underwriting. 

l^y  the  sudden  death  of  Mr.  Parker,  early  in  1866,  the  company  was  left  without 
a President,  and  on  APiy  3d  of  that  year  W.  B.  P)Ourn,  the  Chairman  of  its  Pixecutive 
Committee,  wis  elected  Honorary  President,  and  David  J.  Staples  was  selected  for  \hce- 
1 ’resident  and  Manager.  The  tolhjwing  year  iMr.  Bourn  retired,  and  Mr.  Staples  was 
elected  President,  a position  which  he  has  ever  since  held,  with  constantly  increasing 
credit  and  popularity  to  h(Ah  himself  and  the  company. 

In  May,  1867,  it  was  decided  to  establish  a Marine  Department,  the  business  of 
the  company  having  heretofore  been  exclusively  lire  insurance.  William  J.  Dutton  was 
selected  to  introduce  and  manage  this  dejxirtment,  which  has  since  been  a continuously 
jn'ohtable  one  to  the  company  under  the  management  of  Mr.  Dutton  and  his  successors, 
he  having  meantime  filled  the  various  positions  of  Marine  Secretary,  Assistant  Secretary, 
(ieneral  Secretary  and  \hce-President  and  Manager,  which  he  now  occupies. 

Up  to  1868  the  business  of  the  com]>any  had  been  confined  to  the  Pacific  Coast 
states,  but  in  that  year  it  was  decided  to  extend  its  operations  throughout  the  United 
States.  George  1).  Dornin,  a gentleman  of  experience  in  the  Pacific  Coast  agency  field, 
was  engaged  as  ('ieneral  Agent.  I’resident  Staples  visited  the  East,  and  after  looking 
over  the  field,  selected  as  ICistern  managers  Messrs.  Skeels,  Bowers  ck  Boughton,  who 
established  an  extensive  agency  system,  reporting  to  them  at  New  Nork.  Mr.  Skeels 
was  the  retiring  Insurance  Commissioner  of  New  h'ork,  a man  ranking  high  in  ability 
and  experience;  Mr.  Bowers  was  the  Secretary  f)t  a local  insurance  com}')any,  and  iMr. 
Ifoughton  had  had  experience  in  the  field.  Of  this  firm  the  only  member  now  living 
IS  IlenrvPi.  Bowers,  the  present  American  manager  of  the  North  British  and  Mercantile 
Insurance  Company,  well  known  throughout  the  insurance  fraternity  as  one  of  the 
brightest  of  New  York's  underwriting  talent. 

d'he  company’s  marine  interests  were  placed  in  the  hands  of  Messrs.  Lawson  and 
Walker,  who  took  a joint  marine  agency  of  three  California  companies,  the  Union, 
( )ccidental  and  Fireman’s  h'und,  and,  under  the  title  of  the  California  Insurance  Union, 
estab'lished  a system  of  agencies  which  transacted  an  active  marine  business  at  almost 
every  seaport  from  Canada  to  'I'exas,  also  at  London  and  Liverpool.  i\Ir.  WMlker  of 
above  firm  is  still  }U'ominent  in  New  h'ork  underwriting  circles,  being  the  senior  member 
of  the  underwriting  and  adjusting  firm  of  Walker  & Hughes. 

On  October  9,  1871,  the  company  received  its  bajitism  of  fire — the  city  of  Chicago 
was  laid  in  ashes,  and  with  its  burning  buildings  disap[)eared  the  assets  of  many 
insurance  companies,  including  every  Chicago  local.  Of  the  five  California  companies 
represented  there,  three  collaj)sed,  the  fourth  paid  its  losses  dollar  for  dollar,  but, 
disheartened  at  an  experience  which  had  cost  it  so  dearly,  at  once  withdrew  all  its 
Lastern  business,  and  restricted  itself  to  the  diminished  honors  and  revenue  of  a local 
i)usiness.  The  b'ireman’s  h'und  alone  recognized  in  this  gigantic  disaster  one  of  the 
natural,  although  severe,  incidents  which  it  was  organized  to  meet,  and  at  once  prej'iared 
to  pa}-  its  obligations. 

President  Staples  and  (ienernl  Agent  Dornin  were  at  once  dispatched  to  Chicago, 
and  soon  telegriiphed  home  that  the  company’s  loss  would  exceed  halt  a million  dollars. 
.Mtluaigh  this  amount  was  more  than  its  entire  capital,  its  directors  were  not  daunted. 


F 1 R E A N D M A R I X F. 


but  immediatelv  levied  an  assessment  of  fifty  per  cent,  and  instructed  Messrs.  Stajiles 
and  Dornin  to  settle  the  losses  and  draw  for  same  as  fast  as  adjusted.  Within  6o  days 
these  losses,  a^gre^atin^  $529,365,  were  all  settled,  and  President  Staples  returned  home, 
bringing  with  him  a document  signed  by  every  Chicago  claimant,  complimenting  the 
company  ujKm  its  prompt  and  satisfactory  settlement  of  its  losses.  Having  shown  by 
this  crucial  test  that  the  ]X)licies  of  this  California  company,  like  the  product  and 
currency  of  its  home,  were  “pure  gold,”  the  P'ireman’s  I'und  bounded  into  popular 
favor,  its  policies  being  eagerly  sought  and  its  business  raj'jidly  increasing. 

year  later,  just  as  its  officers  were  congratulating  themselves  that  the  I'ireman’s 
b'und  was  fairly  launched  upon  the  high  road  to  prosperity,  but  fjefore  its  Chicago, 
wounds  had  scarcelv  commenced  to  heal,  in  November,  1872,  the  Boston  fire  called 
upon  it  for  nearly  a (juarter  of  a million  more.  These  losses  also  were  promptly  met, 
and  for  nearly  ten  years  thereafter  the  I'ireman’s  b'und  remained  the  only  Pacific  Coast 
company  having  a single  agency  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains.  Later  on,  various 
California  companies,  emboldened  l)y  its  success,  established  Eastern  departments,  or 
undertook  to  do  an  Eastern  business  through  the  direct  appointment  of  Ivastern  local 
agents,  experimented  with  the  business  so  long  as  it  was  profitable,  and  retired  when 
overtaken  l>y  disaster,  again  leaving  the  field  to  the  single  occupancy  of  the  Fireman’s 
b'und  Insurance  Company. 

The  Occidental  Insurance  Company,  one  of  the  partners  in  the  California  Insurance 
Union,  having  failed  in  the  Chicago  fire,  and  the  Union  Insurance  Companv  having  at 
the  same  time  retired  from  the  blast,  the  Marine  Syndicate,  known  as  the  California 
Insurance  Union,  waas  dissolved,  and  the  b'ireman’s  Fund’s  Eastern  business  was  thereafter 
restricted  to  fire  insurance. 

Three  years  after  the  Boston  fire  the  Fireman's  b'und  was  called  upon  to  pay  its 
largest  single  Ikicific  Coast  loss,  through  the  burning  of  \'irginia  City  on  Octol)er  26, 
1875:  its  loss  in  this  fire  was  $163,984,  and  the  only  annoyance  w'hich  its  stockholders 
experienced  as  the  result  of  this  rather  heavy  draft  upon  its  surplus  was  the  passing 
of  one  cpiarterly  di\’idend,  which,  however,  was  made  u})  bv  a double  dividend  three 
months  later.  Since  that  time  the  company  has  never  skipped  a dividend,  nor  failed 
to  show'  a healthv  increase  in  both  assets  and  net  surplus  at  the  end  of  each  succeediim 
year. 

In  1873  the  company  extended  its  business  to  the  Sandwich  Islands  and  placed  its 
agency  in  the  hands  of  Messrs.  Bishop  & Co.,  representatives  of  the  Bank  of  California 
at  Honolulu.  This  agency  was  given  fire  and  marine  departments  and  developed  an 
active  business  for  the  company  throughout  the  islands,  which  it  has  ever  since 
maintained. 

It  being  seen  immediately  after  the  Chicago  fire  that  the  entire  field  east  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains  wars  too  large  to  l)e  satisfactorily  handled  by  the  New  York  branch, 
the  district  w'as  divided,  the  Atlantic  States  being  left  in  the  hands  of  Messrs.  Skeels, 
Bow'ers  & Boughton,  w'hile  a new'  department  was  created  to  include  the  Mississippi 
\'alley  States,  over  w'hich  Thomas  S.  Chard  was  selected  Manager,  with  headquarters 
at  Chicago. 

In  March.  1876.  the  firm  of  Skeels.  Bow'ers  & Boughton  being  dissolved,  the  entire 
field  wars  placed  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Chard,  w'ho  for  ten  years  thereafter  managed  the 
district  from  his  Chicago  office.  In  1885,  the  business  having  grown  to  proportions 
manifestly  too  large  for  the  successful  supervision  of  a single  manager,  it  waas  again 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


()4 

divided  and  an  Eastern  department  established  to  include  New  England  and  the  Atlantic 
States,  and  placed  in  charge  of  Chas.  W.  Kellogg,  \hce-IT'esident  and  Manager  of  the 
Shoe  and  Leather  Insurance  Company  of  Boston,  an  underwriter  of  experience  and 
ability.  Mr.  Kellogg  established  his  head(|uarters  at  Boston  and  under  his  care,  sup- 
jdemented  by  that  of  A.  K.  Simpson,  his  efficient  Assistant  Manager,  the  business  of 
his  department  has  more  than  (juadrupled  in  the  past  ten  years,  and  with  a result  alike 
flattering  to  himself  and  the  company. 

Meantime  the  volume  of  premiums  in  the  field  retained  by  iManager  Chard  increased 
rapidly,  until  now  he  and  his  popular  Assistant  Manager,  Mr.  S.  T.  Collins,  have 
reporting  to  them,  in  the  Central  Department,  a larger  business  than  was  formerly 
written  in  the  district  covering  both  that  and  the  Ivastern  Department,  when  it  was  all 
reporting  to  Chicago. 

In  1873  i\Ir.  Bond,  who  had  been  the  company's  Secretar}'  from  the  time  of  its 
organization,  was  given  charge  of  its  financial  department,  and  George  D.  Dornin,  there- 
tofore the  company's  General  Agent,  was  elected  Secretary,  and  William  J.  Dutton,  the 
compan3"’s  Marine  Secretary,  was  elected  Assistant  Secretary.  • Mr.  Dornin's  marked 
ability  and  thorough  acquaintance  with  the  agency  business  was  an  important  factor  in 
the  rapid  and  yet  safe  growth  of  the  compan)'’s  l)usiness  which  immediately  ensued. 
In  18S1  Mr.  Dornin  resigned  to  accept  the  Pacific  Coast  management  of  an  English 
conqvany,  and  Mr.  Dutton  succeeded  him  as  General  Secretary.  Ills  acceptance  of  this 
t>ffice  made  it  necessary  that  a ])ractical  marine  underwriter  should  be  found  for  the 
marine  department,  and  N.  T.  James,  a graduate  of  Annapolis,  who  had  also  had 
experience  in  marine  underwriting,  was  elected  Marine  Secretary.  • Mr.  E.  \\b  Carpenter, 
formerly  the  company’s  agent  at  Helena,  Mont.,  and  afterward  for  hve  years  hrst  a 
traveling  and  then  a resident  sjiecial  of  the  company,  was  at  the  same  time  elected 
.Vssistant  Secretary. 

In  1886  the  battering  offer  of  the  management  of  a cjuartet  of  large  English 
companies  made  to  Mr.  Caiq^enter  caused  his  retirement  from  the  company,  and  Bernard 
b'ay monville,  who  had  for  four  years  previously  been  acting  as  the  comany's  leading  Special 
\oent  was  elected  Assistant  Secretarv.  At  the  same  time  Secretarv  Dutton  was  given 
the  further  title  of  Second  \'ice-President,  in  order  that  the  company  might  always  have 
an  executive  head  on  duty  in  the  absence  of  the  President,  the  office  of  P'irst  \hce- 
President  being  held  l)y  one  of  the  directors  as  an  honorary  }iosition. 

In  1888  the  Union  Insurance  Company  having  lost  its  President  through  death, 
Mr.  James  was  elected  as  his  successor,  and  the  I'ireman's  Eund  lost  its  Marine 
Secretary.  This  position  remained  vacant  until  1891,  when  it  was  handsomely  filled  by 
the  appointment  of  J.  B.  Levison,  the  Marine  Secretary  of  the  retiring  Anglo-Nevada 
Insurance  Company,  whose  marine  business  the  Eireman’s  I'und  took  over  with  its 
Marine  Secretarv.  In  May,  1890,  the  death  of  Alpheus  Bull,  who  had  for  many  years 
held  the  office  of  Ilonoraiw’  \hce-President,  left  that  office  vacant,  and  Wdlliam  J.  Dutton 
was  elected  \dce-lTesident  and  Manager,  Bernard  I'aymonville  being  elected  Second 
\bce-President  and  Secretary  and  George  11.  Tyson  Assistant  Secretar_\-.  The  office  of 
General  Agent  was  at  this  time  created,  and  Stephen  D.  Ives,  who  for  ten  years  had 
been  representing  the  company  in  the  held  as  Special  Agent  and  Adjuster,  was  selected 
for  this  ]K)sition,  and  located  at  the  home  office,  with  general  sujiervision  of  the 
coinjiany’s  special  work. 

In  1892  Mr.  Tyson  resigned  to  accejit  the  management  of  the  Pacific  Coast 


FIRE  AN  D M A R I N E. 


f).-) 


Department  of  a prominent  New  York  company,  and  Louis  Weinmann,  who  had  ably 
represented  the  company  first  as  a local  a"ent  and  then  for  four  years  as  Special  iVgent, 
was  elected  Assistant  Secretary,  and  still  retains  the  position. 

In  April  of  this  year  the  Calitornia  Insurance  Company  retired  from  business,  after 
an  honorable  and  successful  career  of  nearly  thirty  years,  and  the  Freman’s  Fund 
reinsured  its  entire  Pacific  Coast  business,  fire  and  marine,  aggregating  nearly  $500,000 
premiums. 

In  the  same  month,  learning  that  the  Home  Mutual  Insurance  Company,  the  next 
oldest  Pacific  Coast  company,  with  a large  surplus  and  profitalfie  business,  was  negotiating 
to  reinsure  and  retire  the  I'ireman’s  Fund,  jiurchased  the  entire  stock  of  the  company 
at  a large  ju'emium,  ecpiipped  it  with  a Marine  Department,  using  the  marine  business 
of  the  California  as  a nucleus,  and  it  has  since  continued  in  business,  an  active  and 
profitable  adjunct  to  the  h'ireman’s  Fund. 

d'he  following  October  the  Union  Insurance  Company  discontinued  marine  under- 
writing, and  its  entire  marine  business  was  taken  over  l>y  the  P'ireman’s  Fund — as  was 

also  the  Oregon  and  Washington  business  of  the  retiring  North  W'est  Insurance  Company 
ot  Oregon. 

In  1894  two  more  local  companies,  the  State  Investment  and  Oakland  Home, 
retired  from  business  and  the  b'ireman’s  Fund  reinsured  the  Oregon  business  of  the 
former  and  the  entire  business  of  the  latter,  covering  the  field  between  the  Mississippi 
River  and  the  Pacific  Ocean. 

In  1895  the  last  remaining  Calitornia  local  company,  the  Sun  of  California,  retired, 
its  fire  risks  being  assumed  by  the  Fireman’s  Fund  and  its  marine  risks  by  the 

Home  Mutual. 

In  this  year,  also,  the  State  Insurance  Company  of  Salem  (Oregon) —the  last 
remaining  Pacific  Coast  company — jdaced  its  outstanding  business  in  the  hands  of  the 
h'ireman's  Fund  Insurance  Company  and  retired,  leaving  only  that  company  and  its 
associate,  the  Home  Mutual,  remaining  of  the  score  or  more  of  local  companies  which 
have  from  time  to  time  competed  for  the  business  of  our  citizens. 

Uj)  to  1895  the  growth  of  the  business  of  the  company  was  so  constant  and 

satisfactory  that  its  officers  neither  felt  inclination  nor  found  time  to  consider  the 
cpiestion  of  a further  extension  of  its  field,  but  in  the  summer  of  1895  \dce-President 
Dutton,  with  iManager  Kellogg,  made  a tour  of  the  Southern  States,  which  resulted  in 
the  establishing  of  a Southeastern  Department,  including  the  States  of  North  and  South 
Carolina,  Georgia,  Florida  and  Alabama,  and  which  field  was  jdaced  in  charge  of  Edgar 
S.  Wdlson,  Secretary  of  the  Macon  Insurance  Company,  (d  Macon,  Georgia,  a man  of 
long  experience  in  that  field  as  a capable  and  successful  underwriter. 

Mr.  Wilson's  department  has  been  in  operation  only  six  months,  Init  its  speedy 
growth  and  excellent  results  thus  far  give  promise  of  a future  which  will  reflect  credit 
upon  Mr.  W’ilson  and  the  comjrany. 

In  1895,  it  becoming  apparent  that  the  company  could  extend  its  marine  field  to 
good  advantage,  it  was  decided  to  reopen  an  Ifastern  Marine  Department.  Mr.  Levison 
visited  the  blast,  and  after  a careful  consideration  of  th.e  merits  of  the  many  ajiplicants, 
selected  as  Manager  for  the  com])any  Joseph  Hadley,  I)e]uity  Underwriter  of  the  New 
^^)rk  Department  of  the  London  Assurance  Corporation.  This  deixirtment  has  been 
running  now  for  only  a f(wv  months,  but  already  the  volume  of  business  has  so  far 
exceeded  the  company’s  expectations  that  it  is  evident  that  ere  long  this  dejiartment 
will  become  a prominent  factor  in  the  compan)’’s  ]n'osperit\’. 


THE  UNHERWRITER. 


()C. 


The  history  of  the  Fireman's  Fund  Insurance  Comjiany  is  a record  of  high  pros- 
perity mixed  with  serious  adversity;  a triumph  of  merit  and  grit  over  the  disasters 
incident  to  the  experimental  growth  of  a pioneer  organization,  its  early  history  illustrating 
and  its  later  avoiding  the  dangers  to  which  all  inexjierienced  underwriting  institutions 
are  subject. 

Organized  in  1863  with  a caj')ital  of  $200,000,  this  was  in  1865  increased  to  $500,000. 
In  1871  the  Chicago  hre  called  for  an  assessment  of  $250,000,  and  in  1873,  after  the 
l)OSton  hre,  the  capital  was  reduced  to  $300,000.  In  1880  this  cajhtal,  j:)rovirig  inadequate 
to  its  large  business,  was  increased  to  $750,000,  and  in  1886  was  again  increased  to  a 
round  $1,000,000,  where  it  now  stands.  The  j^rivilege  of  subscribing  for  this  last  increase 
at  $30  jn'emium  per  share  was  distributed  pro  rata  among  the  company's  stockholders, 
and  such  as  did  not  care  to  take  their  shares  found  ready  jnirchasers  for  their  option 
at  a still  greater  premium. 

The  historv  of  underwriting  shows  that  not  one  insurance  company  in  twentv 
})asses  its  hrst  decade  of  life,  and  that  scarcely  one  in  one  hundred  becomes  permanent, 
and  the  l*acihc  Coast  has  been  no  excejRion  to  this  rule,  for  of  twehty-hve  local  companies 
organized  in  California  and  nearly  half  as  many  more  in  Oregon  and  Washington,  onh’ 
the  Fireman's  Fund  and  Home  Mutual  remain,  and  these  two  are  practically  one,  for 
the  stock  of  the  Home  Mutual  is  owned  by  the  Fireman's  Fund. 

These  dead  companies  have  represented  all  sorts  in  size  and  influence,  from  the 
Anglo-Nevada,  with  its  $2,000,000  of  jxiid-up  capital,  and  the  old  Pacific,  with  its  over- 
shadowing intluence,  down  to  the  Builders'  or  California  I'armers’  Mutual,  with  gall  for 
capital,  and  who  each  depended  for  influence  upon  the  mistaken  prejudice  of  a class  of 
dupes  to  whom  they  both  jiroved  faithless  in  the  time  of  trial. 

This  score  of  dead  companies  with  their  various  grades  of  financial  strength  and 
underwriting  management — some  of  them  officered  by  underwriters  of  marked  ability — 
possessed  one  common  weakness — they  were  “tjuitters. " They  regarded  underwriting 
not  as  an  exact  science,  which  if  jiropeiiy  ajiplied  was  as  safe  as  banking  and  not  more 
jno'iitable,  but  as  a speculation — a sort  of  gambling  venture,  which,  with  an  average 
jirofit  of  5 per  cent  throughout  the  field,  could  yet  in  their  case  stand  a 15  or  20  per 
cent  rebate  to  stockholders  and  friends  and  still  have  a margin  left;  and  when  results 
showed  their  error,  instead  of  blaming  themselves  and  jiracticing  self-denial  and  stopping 
their  rebates,  they  denounced  their  officers  as  incompetent  or  the  business  as  unprofitable, 
and  sold  out  to  the  highest  liidder  for  cash. 

d'he  Fireman’s  I'und  pursued  exactly  the  ojiposite  course.  Its  Presidents  have 
been  New  England  men  and  the  same  class  has  largely  dominated  its  Board  of 
Directors,  and  has  given  to  its  jiolicy  the  straightforwardness  peculiar  to  that  people; 
and  its  jiatnons,  well  knowing  that,  the  P'ireman’s  Fund  having  pledged  itself  to  a system 
of  rates,  it  was  useless  to  attempt  to  secure  from  it  any  concession  from  those  rates, 
yet,  dejiending  ujion  its  “ scpiare-toed  ” honesty  for  an  honest  settlement  of  an  honest 
loss,  preferred  its  policy  at  full  rates  to  that  of  less  exacting  and  more  jdiable  competitors 
wuth  a less  rugged  rejoutation  for  sipiare  dealing. 

Thus  the  bhreman’s  Fund,  by  energy,  activity  and  a good  reputation,  has  steadily 
forged  ahead,  showing  each  succeeding  year  for  the  jxist  twenty  years  an  increase  in 
premiums,  in  assets  and  in  net  surplus,  until  it  is  now  the  largest  American  company 
w'est  of  New  ^’ork  in  assets,  in  surjdus,  in  business  transacted  and  in  the  number  of 
its  agents. 


68 


T H E U X D E W R T T E R. 


W ith  its  growth  it  has  also  maintained  the  respect  of  its  fellows  in  the  business, 
and  the  pardonable  pride  with  which  Californians  regard  this  favorite  California  company 
is  shared  by  the  officers  and  directors  of  those  less  fortunate  companies  who  have  from 
time  to  time  retired,  for  of  the  eight  Pacific  Coast  companies  which  have  ceased  business 
in  the  past  hve  years,  live  turned  over  their  entire  business  and  the  remaining  three 
each  a portion  of  its  business  to  the  Fireman’s  I'und. 

The  b'irem all's  Fund  is  now  the  largest  American  company  west  of  New  York  in 
cash  assets,  in  net  surplus,  in  the  volume  of  business  written  and  in  the  number  of  its 
agents.  Its  interest  account  from  its  investments  more  than  pays  its  dividends,  so  it 
carries  all  its  underwriting  profits  to  its  surplus  for  the  protection  of  its  policy-holders. 

It  }iays  12  per  cent  per  annum  dividends  upon  the  par  value  of  its  stock,  and  it 
has  not  skijijied  a dividend  in  twenty  years.  California  may  well  be  proud  of  the 
b'ireman’s  Fund. 


DAVID  J.  STAPLFS 

PRESIDKXT  OF  THE  FIREM.\N''s  FUND  INSUR.\NCE  COMP.-\NV. 

David  J.  Staples  is  a native  of  Massachusetts,  having  been  born  in  Medway,  in 
that  State,  May  3,  1824.  As  with  the  majority  of  the  New  England  youth  of  that 
period,  he  had  his  own  fortune  to  carve.  Before  he  had  reached  the  age  of  eleven 
years  both  his  parents  died,  leaving  David  and  his  two  sisters  orphans.  Feeling  loth 
to  hve  by  the  kindness  of  relatives,  the  boy,  at  the  tender  age  of  eleven,  secured  work- 
in  a cotton  factory,  and  besides  earning  his  own  living  assisted  his  little  sisters.  After 
two  years  of  hard  work  in  the  factory  he  packed  his  bundle  and  started  out  to  better 
his  fortune,  and,  if  possible,  obtain  an  education.  After  an  all-day  walk  he  secured 
work  from  a farmer,  his  compensation  being  his  board  and  clothes,  schooling  three 
months  in  the  winter,  and  a new  suit  of  clothes'  at  the  end  of  three  years’  service. 

At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  apprenticed  himself  to  William  Mason,  of  Taunton, 
Mass.,  to  learn  the  trade  of  a machinist.  Having  served  his  time  there  he  subsec|uently 
worked  at  his  trade  in  Newton,  Boston,  Springfield  and  Salem,  until  1849,  when  the  gold 
find  in  California  started  him  to  this  coast,  which  he  reached  after  a journey  of  six  months 
across  the  plains,  helping  to  lay  out,  as  he  expresses  it,  the  route  later  followed  by  the 
railroad.  His  iirst  business  venture  in  this  State  was  freighting  with  pack  mules  from 
Stockton  to  the  miners  in  Tuolumne  County. 

In  the  spring  of  1850  he  purchased  a Spanish  grant  on  the  Mokelumne  river,  which 
he  at  once  imju-oved,  and  soon  started  East  for  his  family,  which  consisted  of  his  wife 
and  an  infant  daughter  he  had  never  seen,  and  with  them  he  returned  to  California  in 
January,  1851,  and  for  ten  years  thereafter  was  a prominent  figure  in  the  industrial 
and  jiolitical  development  of  San  Joa(}uin  County,  being  one  of  the  organizers  of  the 
Kei^ublican  Party  in  Stockton,  and  a delegate  to  Washington  in  1861  at  the  first  inaugu- 
ration of  President  Abraham  Lincoln. 

When,  after  Bull  Run,  Washington  was  a]-)]u'oached  by  the  victorious  rebels,  he 
joined  the  guard  of  honor  which  then  enlisted  to  protect  the  nation’s  capital,  and  one 
of  his  most  highly  j^rized  mementoes  is  his  honorable  discharge  from  this  service,  bearing 
the  personal  autograph  of  President  Lincoln. 

On  May  3,  1866,  he  was  elected  \’ice-President  and  Manager  of  the  Eireman’s 
b'und  Insurance  Company  and  a year  later  was  made  its  President,  and  since  that  date 


7(1 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


has  ably  presided  over  the  destinies  of  that  company,  and  his  ability  in  management 
and  courage,  shown  particularly  during  the  trying  times  of  the  Chicago  and  Boston  fires, 
have  been  of  the  greatest  benefit  to  his  company,  lie  served  many  years  as  President 
of  the  Board  of  Fire  Underwriters. 

Mr.  Staples,  while  in  no  sense  a politician,  has  ever  shown  himself  a public-spirited 
citizen,  and  everything  looking  to  the  public  good  finds  in  him  a ready  and  earnest 
worker.  lie  has  occupied  the  jx)sition  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  San  Joa<|uin  County, 
\h’ce-President  of  the  State  Agricultural  Society.  Port  Warden  of  San  P'rancisco,  and 
\’ice-President  of  the  Society  of  California  Pioneers,  during  the  incumbency  as  President 
of  the  late  James  L ck,  whose  friend  and  confidant  he  was  for  many  years,  and  whose 
munificent  beiiuests  to  the  society  were  largely  due  to  the  infiuence  of  Mr.  Staples, 
lie  is  also  a jiopular  member  of  the  G.  A.  K. 

I'or  two  years  the  precarious  condition  of  Mr.  Staples’  health  has  been  a constant 
source  of  anxiety  to  his  friends,  but  tliis  summer  shows  a marked  improvement  and 
encourages  the  hope  that  he  may  be  restored  to  renewed  health  and  usefulness. 

Mr.  Staples  is  not  lacking  in  the  financial  fruits  of  his  extensive  business  career, 
and  is  rich  in  the  friendships  earned  by  a long,  honorable  and  useful  life. 

WILTMAM  J.  DUTTON 

\ ICE-1’RKSII)KXT  OF  THK  FlRKMAx’s  FUXD  IXSURAXCF  COMRAXV. 

Whlliam  J.  Dutton  was  born  in  Bangor,  Maine,  January  23,  1847.  father 

started  for  California  in  1849,  and  in  1855  sent  for  his  wife  and  family,  including  the 
subject  of  this  sketch. 

Mr.  Dutton  grew  up  in  San  Francisco,  first  taking  a public  school  course,  after 
which  he  attended  the  City  College,  then  a flourishing  educational  institution,  where  he 
took  a college  course  in  the  classics  and  higher  mathematics. 

llis  father,  Henry  Dutton,  whom  many  of  our  readers  will  well  remember  as  one  of 
our  ]'>rominent  and  highly  esteemed  citizens,  was  one  of  the  original  incorporators  of  the 
I'ireman’s  h'und  Insurance  Company,  and  served  for  many  years  as  its  \hce-President, 
and  it  is,  therefore,  not  surin'ising  that  when  his  son  cast  about  for  a business  opening 
he  should  gravitate  toward  underwriting. 

In  January,  1897,  he  olAained  a position,  at  the  foot  of  the  ladder,  in  the  office 
of  the  agency  of  the  North  British  & Mercantile  Insurance  Company.  He  remained 
there  until  Mav,  1867,  when,  the  h'ireman’s  Fund  Insurance  Company  having  decided  to 
establish  a Marine  Department,  he  was  chosen  as  marine  clerk. 

At  that  time  there  were  four  other  locals  doing  a marine  business,  and  two  or 
three  agencies,  wh.ich,  however,  were  not  actively  pushed  and  did  only  a limited  business. 
The  locals  did  j-a'actically  all  the  business,  of  which  the  principal  portion  was  b}’  steam 
and  sail  from  New  York,  the  nearest  approach  to  an  overland  railroad  then  being  the  Pony 
bfxpress.  The  Marine  Department  was  a success,  and  a source  of  profit  from  the  start, 
and  has  continued  so  ever  since. 

In  1869,  Mr.  Dutton  was  elected  Marine  Secretary,  and  so  remained  until  1873, 
when,  for  convenience's  sake,  his  title  was  changed  to  Assistant  Secretary,  he,  however, 
retaining  special  charge  of  the  Marine  Department. 

In  June,  1881.  upon  the  retirement  of  the  former  Secretary  to  accept  the  manage- 


T 1 1 1C  UNI)  E W R I T E R. 


ment  of  an  English  agency,  Mr.  Dutton  was  elected  General  Secretary  of  the  company. 

In  1886  the  title  of  Second  \hce-President  was  created  and  Mr.  Dutton  was  elected  to 
this  office  in  addition  to  that  of  Secretary,  and  in  1890  he  was  elected  \hce-President 
and  Manager,  which  position  he  still  holds. 

A student  by  Nature,  and  successively  drilled,  first  in  marine  and  then  in  fire 
underwriting,  Mr.  Dutton’s  business  experience  has  been  more  general  than  that  of  any 
other  Pacihc  Coast  underwriter,  and  his  ability  has  been  hljerally  recognized  l>y  his 
associates  in  both  branches. 

In  1876  Mr.  Dutton  was  placed  upon  the  Committee  of  Adjustments  of  the  Board 
of  Marine  Underwriters  and  in  1888  was  elected  President  of  the  Board  and  still  holds 
both  positions,  having  been  continuously  re-elected. 

He  served  almost  constantly  as  an  officer  or  member  of  the  Executive  Committee 
of  the  Eire  Underwriters,  during  the  life  of  the  Pacific  Insurance  Union,  and  in  the 
present  cut  rate  war  has  been  prominent  among  the  conservative  element  which  has 
been  laboring  to  reconcile  the  discordant  radicals  and  protect  the  business  from  ruin, 
having  served  last  year  as  President  and  now  acting  as  \’ice-President  and  Chairman  of 
the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Board  of  Eire  underwriters  of  tlie  Pacific. 

llis  ability  and  reliability  as  an  underwriter  places  Mr.  Dutton  in  the  front  rank 
of  the  profession,  and  his  uniform  courtesy  and  urbanity  make  him  extremely  popular 
both  in  and  out  of  insurance  circles. 

BEKNAKD  EAYMONVIELE 

SF.CRK'IARV  OF  TIIF  FIRFMAX's  FUND  IXSURANCF  COMPAXV. 

P)ernard  I'aymonville,  Secretary  of  the  Phreman’s  Eund  Insurance  Company,  was 
born  in  the  State  of  Illinois,  and  his  early  education  was  obtained  in  that  State.  His 
hrst  knowledge  of  the  insurance  business  was  secured  in  the  office  of  a real  estate  and 
insurance  broker  in  the  City  of  Chicago,  where  he  placed  risks  in  addition  to  his  other 
duties. 

In  1877  he  came  to  California  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Eresno,  in  Eresno  County. 
Shortly  after  locating  there,  he  secured  the  local  agency  of  forty-three  insurance 
companies,  and,  liy  hard  work  and  strict  attention  to  business,  he  succeeded  in  building 
up  one  of  the  largest  local  agencies  in  the  State.  ^ 

In  1881  the  P'ireman's  Eund  Insurance  Company,  recognizing  his  ability  as  an 
underwriter,  tendered  him  the  position  of  Sj^ecial  Agent  and  Adjuster,  which  he  accepted 
and  retained  until  the  early  part  of  1887,  when  he  was  appointed  Resident  Special 
Agent  of  the  same  company  and  assigned  to  the  duties  of  the  retiring  Assistant  Secretary. 
In  July  of  the  same  vear  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  .Vssistant  Secretary,  and 
in  October,  1890,  was  elected  General  Secretary,  to  which,  in  August,  1893,  was  added 
the  title  of  Second  Vice-President. 

While  full  of  energy  and  work,  Mr.  I'aymonville’s  character  as  a careful  and 
]iainstaking  underwriter  make  his  senices  of  great  value  to  his  comjiany  and  to  his 
profession,  in  the  conservative  councils  of  which  he  is  always  jirominent.  He  has 
repeatedly  served  on  the  bixeculive  Committee  of  the  Pacihc  Insurance  Union,  and 
sLiccessivchy  filled  the  positions  of  Secretary,  \hce-President  and  President  of  the  Eire 
Lbiderwriters  Association  of  the  Pacihc. 


THOMAS  SEPTIMUS  CIIAKI) 


MANACKR  CKN'l'KAI,  DEl’ARTMKNT  FIREMAN’s  EEXI)  INSURANCE  CnMl’ANV. 

Thomas  Septimus  Chard,  seventh  son  of  William  and  Mary  Chard,  was  born  in 
Bullalo,  New  A'ork,  y\ugust  15,  1844.  llis  parents  were  natives  of  England.  Chard- 
Somerset  was  the  home  of  his  jiaternal  ancestors,  and  his  mother  was  born  in  Eong 
Puckby,  famous  in  Cromwellian  times.  Mr.  Chard’s  parents  died  when  he  was  ten 
years  of  age  and  his  school  days  ended  when  he  was  hlteen.  Ills  hrst  employments 
were  in  banking  and  transportation  business,  and  in  1864  he  came  to  Chicago  and 
engaged  with  h'.  A.  Howe,  then  agent  of  the  Goodrich  line  of  steamers.  In  1865  Mr. 
Chard's  uncle,  Thomas  Goodman,  organized  the  Eumberman’s  Insurance  Company  of 
Chicago,  and  in  1867  he  became  connected  with  that  company.  The  Eireman’s  Eund 
Insurance  Company  established  in  New  'S’ork  an  Eastern  Department  in  1869,  and 
in  1870  the  Managers,  Skeels,  Bowers  N Boughton,  employed  Mr.  Chard  to  plant  agencies 
in  the  West.  The  Chicago  hre,  occurring  in  October,  1871,  made  the  establishment  of 
a Western  Department  seem  desirable  to  the  company  and  Mr.  Chard  was  placed  in 
the  resiionsilile  position  of  Manager  July  i,  1872,  which  position  he  has  hlled  continuously 
since  that  date.  In  1875  the  Eastern  and  Western  de}iartment.s  of  the  company  were 
consolidated  and  Mr.  Chard  was  given  the  position  of  General  ^Manager  for  all  states 
east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains.  The  llnion  Insurance  Company  of  San  Francisco  gave 
to  him  the  same  jurisdiction  in  1880.  The  growth  of  the  business  necessitated  further 
changes  in  1885  and  the  reestablishment  of  an  Eastern  Department,  since  which  i\Ir. 
Chard  has  held  his  original  jurisdiction  for  the  Eireman’s  Eund.  In  1879,  the  Western 
States  being  practically  without  any  organization  for  the  control  c)f  the  general  business, 
Mr.  Chard  became  interested  in  a plan  to  establish  such  an  association,  and  gave  freely 
of  his  time  to  the  work  of  organizing  what  afterward  became  famous  as  The  Union. 
His  letter,  reporting  the  success  of  the  preliminary  movements,  contained  a call  which 
drew  the  memlrers  of  that  association  to  'the  first  meeting.  i\Ir.  Chard  has  been  twice 
President  of  the  Union.  Mr.  Chard  married  as  his  first  wife  Mary,  daughter  of  Crom- 
well Chase,  a banker  in  the  early  days  of  Galena,  Illinois.  .She  died  in  1876,  and  his 
second  wife  was  Adaline  Peabody  Whitney,  of  Waltham,  Massachusetts,  a direct 
descendant  of  John  Whitney  who  founded  Watertown,  Massachusetts.  In  politics  Mr. 
Chard  is  a Re}niblican,  and  tor  many  years  he  was  an  intimate  friend  of  Professor 
David  Swing,  whth  whose  religious  views  he  largely  sympathized. 

SYDNEY  TENTSON  COEEINS 

ASSISlAN'r  MANAOER  OE  I'lIE  CENTRA!.  I lERART-M ENT  OE  THE  EIREMAX’s  FUND  INSURANCE 

COMI’ANV. 

Since  the  tide  of  immigration  hrst  set  toward  America  perhaps  no  class  of  people 
who  have  found  homes  ipion  her  shores  have  done  more  to  build  up  her  interests  or 
contribute  more  to  her  relative  imjiortance  and  national  }irosperity  than  the  wide-awake, 
stirring  and  jirogressive  Irishmen  who  have  come  here  to  enjoy  freedom  of  thought  and 
independence  of  action.  Svdne)'  T.  Collins,  Assistant  Manager  of  the  Central 

Deiiartment  of  the  b'ireman's  I'und  and  Home  Mutual  Insurance  companies,  is  a native 
of  the  lUnerald  Isle,  born  No\'ember  19,  1857,  and  is  a man  who  ]X)ssesses  all  the 
admirable  characteristics  of  those  of  that  nationalit\'.  He  is  now  a resident  of  Hinsdale. 
Illinois,  wherc^  he  is  ]H)pular  both  in  social  and  insurance  circles. 


7-4 


T I I K U N D li  R W R I T I^:  R 


7() 

In  the  year  1872,  when  Init  a lad  of  fifteen,  he  left  home  and  friends  to  seek  his 
fortune  in  the  New  World.  He  first  entered  the  office  of  the  Phoenix  xA.ssurance 
Company  of  London,  at  Montreal,  Canada,  and  in  1879  went  to  Chicago,  where  he 
became  connected  with  the  WMstern  Department  of  the  Commercial  Union  Assurance 
Company,  under  the  management  of  C.  F.  Mullins-  In  1887110  left  the  services  of  that 
company  and  accejited  the  Western  management  of  the  xVnglo-Nevada  x\ssurance 
Corjioration  of  San  Francisco. 

Energy  and  vigilance  were  the  essential  (}ualifications  of  his  calling  and  Mr.  Collins 
possessed  these  good  points  to  such  a degree  that  his  true  worth  was  soon  recognized, 
and  on  the  admittance  of  the  Caledonian  Insurance  Company  to  this  country  he  was 
ajipointed  Manager  of  the  Western  Department  of  that  company  at  Chicago.  Afterward 
he  moved  to  Philadelphia  and  became  Assistant  Lbiited  States  Manager  of  the  same 
company.  Upon  the  amalgamation  of  the  Caledonian  and  Niagara  companies  under 
Niagara  management  at  New  'I’ork,  Mr.  Collins  retired  and  returned  to  Chicago  in 
February,  1893.  lie  had  charge  of  insurance  matters  at  the  World’s  Columbian  Exposition 
during  the  Fair  and  acted  under  the  Insurance  x-\uxiliary  Conimittee.  At  the  close  of 
the  b'air  he  entered  the  service  of  the  Fireman's  Fund  Insurance  Company,  as  xAssistant 
Manager  of  the  Central  Department  at  Chicago. 

Mr.  Collins  is  married  and  has  two  children.  He  is  a Kepublican  in  politics  and 
has  ever  advocated  the  principles  of  that  ]iarty.  In  religion  -he  is  an  Episcopalian. 
His  brother,  Edward  Tcnison  Collins,  is  Pesident  Secretary  for  Ireland  of  the  North 
P)i'itish  and  Mercantile  Insurance  Com]')any  at  Dul)lin. 

CHARLIUS  WETMORE  KELLOGCx 

MANAC.ER  EAS'l'ERN  DEPARTMENT  EIREMAX's  EUND  INSURANCE  COMPANY. 

Charles  Wetmore  Kellogg,  Manager  of  tlie  lUistern  Department  of  the  Fireman’s 
b'und  Insurance  Company,  at  Poston,  comes  of  Scotch  ancestry,  his  progenitors  first 
settling  in  Connecticut  in  1652.  Later,  descendants  settled  in  different  parts  of  the 
lbiited  States  and  our  subject  is  of  the  New  York  branch  of  this  family.  His  father, 
Morris  Kellogg,  was  born  at  New  Hartford,  Oneida  County,  New  York,  in  1804,  and 
made  his  home  there  until  1830,  when  he  moved  to  Ashtabula  County,  Ohio,  where 
Charles  Wetmore  Kellogg  was  born  IMa)’  30,  1839.  In  this  county  the  hitters  childhood 
and  youth  were  passed. 

When  the  civil  war  broke  out  in  i8bi,  voting  Kellogg  promptly  responded  to  the 
President’s  call  for  three  months’ volunteers,  and  later  enlisted  with  the  29th  Ohio  Wilunteers 
for  three  years’  service.  He  was  soon  jiromoted  to  the  rank  of  Lieutenant  and  remained 
with  his  regiment  about  a year,  when  he  was  detached  to  ser\e  on  the  staff  of  the 
(ieneral  commanding  the  b'irst  Pxrigade,  2d  Division,  12th  x\rmy  Corps,  enjoying  the 
]iromotions  in  his  regiment  (where  he  held  lineal  rank)  to  b'irst  Lieutenant  and  Captain. 
He  continued  to  serve  as  staff  officer  until  the  close  of  the  war,  when  he  was  honorablv 
discharged,  alter  the  grand  review  at  W ashington. 

Soon  after  this  new  fields  of  action  enlisted  his  interest  and  energy,  and  he  moi'ed 
to  Pittsburg,  Pennst'lvania,  where  his  business  life  commenced  in  the  office  of  J.  Gardner 
Collin,  as  solicitor  and  inspector.  bwo  years  later  he  became  a partner — the  firm  being 
C'oflin  A Kellogg -and  this  brought  a commission  for  the  organization  of  a Western 


78 


T H E I'  N 1 ) E R R I T E R. 


Department  for  the  I'ranklin  Fire  Insurance  Company  of  I’hiladelphia.  This  grew  into 
a large  and  successful  agency  business,  with  headquarters  at  Pittsburg  until  April,  1S72, 
when  it  was  moved  to  Philadelphia.  In  1874  the  jiartnership  was  dissolved  by  limitation, 
Mr.  Kellogg  succeeding  the  firm  as  Manager,  a ])osition  he  retained  until  Noveml>er, 
1881,  when  he  severed  his  connection  with  the  conq'iany. 

A few  months  later  he  became  General  Agent  of  the  National  Fire  Insurance 
Company  of  Hartford,  located  at  the  home  oflice;  but  before  the  first  year  had  expired 
he  was  tendered  the  vice-presidency  of  the  Shoe  and  Leather  Insurance  Comjiany  of 
Boston,  to  manage  its  fire  business.  Before  this  department  could  be  fairly  reorganized, 
the  directors  (in  consetpience  of  heavy  marine  losses)  decided  to  reinsure  the  company's 
entire  business  and  retire.  In  i\pril,  1885,  Mr.  Kellogg  was  tendered  the  position  of 
M anager  for  the  organization  of  the  Eastern  Department  of  the  P’ireman’s  Fund 
Insurance  Company,  and  this  position  he  fills  at  the  ]u'esent  time.  The  well  merited 
success  that  has  followed  his  efforts  has  been  gained  through  principles  of  sound  business 
integrity  and  conservative  methods. 

AKTIIFK  KlfXMIfKF  SIMPSON 

ASSIS'l'AXT  MANAGER  EASTERN  DEI’AR'I'M  EN'l'  EIRE.MAn’s  EUXl)  INSURANCE  COMI'ANV. 

There  are  few  men  m insurance  circles  who  show  as  'much  fitness  for  their 
avocation,  in  that  they  are  wide-awake,  experienced,  reliable  and  energetic,  as  Mr.  A.  K. 
Simpson,  Assistant  Manager  of  the  Eastern  Department  of  the  Fireman's  Fund  Insurance 
Comjiany,  of  San  P'rancisco,  California,  at  Boston,  Massachusetts,  and  although  a com- 
paratively young  man,  possesses  in  an  unusual  degree  the  essential  (|ualifications  necessary 
to  make  a success  of  this  calling. 

Mr.  Simpson  is  a product  of  the  Buckeye  State,  liorn  at  Mill  Cieek,  Mahoning 
County,  August  27,  1855,  and  the  son  of  P^rank  Simjuson  and  Martha  A.  (Gilliland)  Simpson. 
The  parents  resided  in  Mahoning  County,  Ohio,  until  the  latter  part  of  1855,  when  thev 
removed  to  New  Castle,  P’ennsylvania,  and  thence  to  Allegheny  City,  that  State,  in  1861. 
Wh  en  about  fifteen  years  old  young  Simpson  left  school  and  was  emjdoyed  in  the  office 
of  a railroad  company  for  four  years.  He  then  entered  the  office  of  the  Allemannia 
Insurance  Company  of  Ifittsburg,  ITnnsylvania,  where  he  was  employed  in  the  various 
lines  of  office  work,  until  about  1S80.  After  that  he  entered  the  office  of  the  Citizens’ 
Insurance  Company,  of  the  same  city,  and  remained  with  that  company  until  it  estab- 
lished its  agency  jilant,  when  he  was  appointed  Special  Agent  and  established  its  agencies 
in  the  Piast  and  West. 

Mr.  Simpson  continued  with  this  company  until  September,  1887,  when  he  left  its 
service  and  entered  the  employ  of  the  Ifastern  Dejiartment  of  the  P'ireman's  PTmd 
Insurance  Conqiany  of  California,  as  its  Special  Agent  for  the  New  Ivngland  States, 
with  headciLiarters  at  Boston.  That  position  he  retained  until  September,  1894,  when 
he  received  the  appointment  of  Assistant  Manager  of  the  department,  and  is  the  present 
incumbent  of  that  office.  In  his  religious  views  iMr.  Sinqison  has  alwa^•s  been  a 
Protestant,  and  in  politics  he  is  with  the  Keiniblican  jiarty.  He  has  never  married. 


% 


KDCxAR  S.  WILSON 


MA.\A(;KK  S(  )l  TIIEASTKRX  departmen  t EIRE.^E-\N’s  EL  ND  LNSl’RANCE  COMPANY. 

The  advent  of  the  I'ireman’s  Fund  Insurance  Com]iany  of  California  in  the  South 
was  a notable  event.  While  other  Pacific  comjianies  had  failed,  lic|uidated  or  reinsured, 
the  Fireman’s  Fund,  now  in  its  thirty-fourth  year,  has  steadily  grown,  adding  annually 
to  its  income,  assets  and  surplus,  until  on  the  31st  of  December,  1895,  to 

present  a statement  which  entitled  it  to  front  rank  in  the  fire  insurance  companies  of 
the  world.  With  gross  assets  of  $3,449,095.88,  it  has  a net  surplus  over  all  liabilities 
of  $987,205.09.  In  its  operations  it  covers  the  entire  field  from  Boston  to  San  Francisco. 
It  has  established  a Southeastern  Department  at  Macon,  Georgia,  and  selected  as 
Manager,  Mr.  Edgar  S.  Wilson.  Ibider  his  intelligent  direction  the  company  is  rapidly 
assuming  the  position  to  which  it  is  entitled  by  its  hnancial  strength  and  long  experience. 
The  company  is  to  be  congratulated  in  having  secured  so  able  and  progressive  a 
Manager  for  the  South  as  Mr.  Wilson.  It  is  an  honor  to  represent  the  Fireman's  Fund, 
and  that  company  is  honored  in  having  such  a representative. 

Mr.  Wilson  was  Ijorn  in  Athens,  Georgia,  in  1850,  and  there  secured  his  education. 
Later  he  moved  to  Sparta,  in  the  same  state,  and  engaged  in  a large  and  successful 
mercantile  l)usiness  for  some  time.  Always  having  a fondness  for  and  possessing  c|ualities 
eminently  fitting  him,  he  followed  his  bent,  that  of  hre  insurance,  commencing  as 
local  agent  for  several  prominent  companies  in  that  line,  but  still  continuing  his  mercantile 
duties.  In  1884  he  relintjuished  merchandising  and  devoted  his  whole  attention  to 
insurance  matters  on  a more  extended  and  exclusive  scale.  Selling  out,  he  removed  to 
Macon,  Georgia.,  where  his  experience  and  (pialihcations  soon  found  j)roper  recognition, 
l)ecoming  a member  of  the  fire  insurance  hrm  of  Col)b,  Wilson  & Cabaniss.  In  the 
year  1886  he  organized  the  Macon  Fire  Insurance  Conuxiny,  since  which  time  he  has 
been  a director  in  that  company  and  its  Secretary,  Treasurer  and  General  Manager.  In 
Octol)er,  1895,  he  was  appointed  Manager  of  the  Southeastern  Department  of  the 
b'ireman’s  Fund  Insurance  Company,  embracing  the  States  of  Georgia,  Alabama,  Florida 
and  North  and  South  Carolina,  with  head(|uarters  at  Macon,  Georgia,  and  has  so  far 
done  a very  successful  business  for  the  comirany. 

lie  is  an  elder  in  the  Tatnall  Square  Presbyterian  Church  of  Macon,  \'ice- 
President  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  and  was  for  a number  of  years  a Director  and 
Treasurer  of  the  Macon  Public  Library.  For  four  years  he  was  a member  of  the 
military  staff  of  Governor  of  Georgia,  with  the  rank  of  Lieutenant-Colonel.  He  is  now  and 
has  been  for  three  years  Chairman  of  the  Fire  Commission  of  iMacon,  Georgia.  He 
belongs  to  a class  of  young,  active,  enterprising  and  public-spirited  citizens  whom  Macon 
has  largely  to  thank,  not  only  for  the  conspiciunis  place  she  holds  commercially  in  the 
eyes  of  the  world,  but  to  whose  principles,  tact  and  good  judgment  cultured  society 
there,  as  elsewhere,  offers  its  prof(,)undest  respect  and  admiration. 


LOUIS  WIHNMANN. 

Louis  Weinmann,  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Fireman's  I'und  Insurance  Companv, 
is  the  only  “nat  ve  son"  in  the  official  staff  of  the  company.  His  jiarents  were 
jiioneers  and  he  was  born  at  Benicia,  California,  in  the  early  ’50s,  when  that  city  was 
looked  upon  as  the  coming  metropolis  of  the  State. 


SO 


TH  E UX  DERWRITER. 


S2 

On  reaching  maturity,  he  engaged  in  Imsiness  in  his  native  city,  and,  attracting 
the  attention  of  sjiecial  agents  in  their  search  for  locals,  was  induced  to  accept  the 
agency  of  a number  of  insurance  companies,  prominent  among  them  the  Fireman’s 
Fund,  which  local  jn'ide  influenced  him  to  make  his  leading  company,  and  the  thorough- 
ness and  intelligence  of  his  work  classed  him  among  the  company’s  “star”  agents, 
h'eeling  unwilling  to  rej)resent  any  company  to  which  he  could  not  give  a volume  of 
business  sufficient  to  satisfy  his  ideas  of  what  constituted  good  treatment,  he  finally 
concluded  to  restrict  himself  to  a single  comjiany  and  accordingly  returned  the  supplies 
of  nine  jirominent  companies,  reserving  cmly  the  Fireman’s  Fund,  for  which  he,  for  a 
numl)er  of  years  folhwving,  did  a large  and  very  pofitable  ljusiness. 

In  iS88  he  was  engaged  as  a Special  Agent,  and  after  traveling  for  three  years 
was,  in  July,  i8gi,  located  at  the  home  office  as  Resident  Special  Agent,  and  in  January, 
1892,  elected  Assistant  Secretary,  and  still  holds  the  office. 

Mr.  Weinmann  is  a thorough  and  painstaking  underwriter,  active  alike  in  the 
office  and  among  his  associates. 

For  the  jiast  three  years  he  has  efficiently  served  the  Association  of  Fire  Ibider- 
writers  of  the  Pacific  as  Secretary  and  Treasurer. 


J.  H.  LFVISON. 

J.  P).  Levison,  Marine  Secretary  P'ireman’s  PAind  Insurance  Company,  although 
not  a native  son  of  California,  was  born  close  to  the  border,  having  first  seen  the  light 
in  Virginia  City,  Nevada,  in  the  early  ’60s  when  the  Comstock  Lode  was  turning 
out  its  millions,  stocks  were  booming  and  Nevada  was  the  greatest  silver-producing 
State  in  the  Pinion. 

In  1875  he  came  with  his  parents  to  San  Francisco,  where  he  has  ever  since 
resided.  lie  first  entered  the  insurance  Imsiness  in  1878  as  a junior  in  the  agency  of 
the  New  Zealand  Insurance  ('ompany,  but  left  this  in  1880  to  take  a place  as  clerk  in 
the  Marine  Department  of  the  agency  of  Hutchinson  N iMann,  which  was  then  doing  a 
very  large  San  I'rancisco  local  business.  When  the  Anglo  Nevada  was  incorporated, 
in  1886,  he  was  engaged  as  its  marine  clerk  and  was  shortly  after  elected  Marine 
Secretary,  which  position  he  held  until  the  company  retired  from  business  in  1890.  Its 
marine  business  having  been  reinsured  by  the  P'ireman's  P'und  Insurance  Company, 
they  also  secured,  at  the  same  time,  a very  prominent  part  of  its  good  will  in  the 
person  of  Mr.  Levison,  whom  they  elected  iMarine  Secretary  of  the  P'ireman’s  Fund,  and 
under  his  intelligent  and  active  management  this  dejiartment  has  continued  to  grow, 
having  since  that  time,  beside  holding  its  own,  absorbed  the  business  of  two  of  its  local 
comjietitors,  the  “Union”  and  the  “Sun,”  upon  their  retirement  from  business. 

Mr.  Levison  stands  high  as  a marine  underwriter  and  bids  fair  to  manage  the 
“salt  water  department”  of  the  leading  California  company  for  many  years  to  come. 


JUDCiK  KUGKXE  CARY 

WESTERN  ^rANA(;ER  (iERMAN-AMERICAN  INSLRANCE  COMPANY  OF  NEW  YORK. 

Judge  Eugene  Cary  is  an  admirable  example  of  the  theory  that  no  real  excellence 
can  be  obtained  without  dauntless  courage  in  surmounting  obstacles.  The  successful  men 
of  the  day  are,  as  a rule,  men  who  have  planned  their  own  adYancement,  and  have 
accomplished  it  in  spite  of  difficulties,  and  with  a certainty  that  could  have  been  attained 
only  through  their  own  efiorts.  ' This  class  of  men  has  a worthy  representative  in  Judge 
Cary.  He  was  born  in  Boston,  Erie  County,  New  York,  February  20,  1835,  and  his 
early  years  were  passed  in  hard  work  on  a farm. 

Reaching  the  age  of  sixteen  years,  he  started  out  on  his  own  resources,  and  after 
teaching  school  several  terms  began  the  study  of  law,  first  at  Sheboygan,  Wisconsin, 
with  Judge  David  Taylor,  late  of  the  Wisconsin  Supreme  Court;  afterward  at  Buffalo, 
with  Judge  James  Sheldon  and  Judge  Nathan  K.  flail.  In  1856  he  began  the  practice 
of  his  profession  at  Sheboygan,  Wisconsin,  was  soon  after  elected  City  Attorney,  and 
the  following  year,  when  twenty-two  years  old,  was  made  County  Judge  of  Sheboygan 
County,  at  that  time  one  of  the  most  populous  and  wealthy  counties  in  the  State. 

When  civil  war  broke  out,  in  1861,  he  was  jmompt  to  enlist  in  his  country’s 
service.  Even  as  a soldier  he  evinced  the  surpassing  talent  for  affairs  which  made  him 
so  successful  professionally,  and  was  given  positions  of  responsibility  demanding  both 
strong  intellectual  force  and  the  fearlessness  of  personal  peril;  first  as  Captain  in  the 
Eirst  Wisconsin  \Tlunteer  Infantry,  and  subsequently  as  Judge  .Advocate  on  the  staff 
of  the  General  commanding  the  Eirst  Division  of  the  Eourteenth  Army  Corps  (Army 
of  the  Cumberland).  Soon  after  the  war  he  settled  in  Nashville,  Tennessee,  and  served 
one  term  in  the  State  Senate  and  one  term  as  Judge  of  the  Circuit  Court. 

In  1857  he  began  his  insurance  experience,  as  Local  Agent  for  the  .Ttna  and 
Hartford  insurance  companies,  at  Sheboygan.  After  the  war  he  served  for  a time  as  State 
.Agent  for  the  Tvtna,  in  Tennessee.  In  October.  1871,  he  went  to  Chicago,  Illinois,  for  the 
Imperial  Insurance  Conijianv'.  organized  and  was  manager  of  its  W’estern  Deprtment 
until  1873,  when  he  accepted  the  management  of  the  W’estern  Department  of  the 
German-.American  Insurance  Comjxiny,  which  position  he  has  held  ever  since.  Judge 
Cary,  as  an  underwriter,  while  progressive,  is  at  the  same  time  cautious  and  conserva- 
tive. He  desires  profitable  results  rather  than  large  figures,  and  the  success  of  the 
company  under  his  charge  has  given  ample  testimony  of  the  wisdom  and  efficiency  of 
his  methods.  He  was  for  two  terms  President  of  the  “Union,”  and  has  always  taken 
an  active  part  in  its  counsels. 

Judge  Cary  has  reason  to  take  special  pride  in  the  patriotic  record  of  his  familv. 
Himself  a soldier  in  the  Union  Army,  he  had  two  brothers  in  that  army,  both  surgeons, 
one  of  whom  died  in  the  service.  .An  uncle  was  a soldier  in  the  American  .Armv  during 
the  War  of  1812,  and  was  killed  in  battle.  His  grandfather  Cary  was  a Revolutionary 
soldier,  and  tracing  his  ancestry  back  to  the  arrival  of  the  first  of  them,  over  two 
hundred  and  fifty  years  ago,  at  Plymouth  Colony,  all  bore  an  honorable  and  loyal  part 
in  their  country’s  service  and  history. 

In  the  spring  of  1883  Judge  Cary  was  a candidate  for  Mayor  of  Chicago,  on  the 
Republican  ticket,  the  nomination  being  entirely  unsolicited.  .Although  he  failed  to  get 
the  office,  it  is  now  generally  conceded  that  he  received  a majority  of  the  legal  votes 
cast,  but  was  defeated  by  the  peculiar  counting  out  method  then  in  vogue.  No  insur- 
ance company  has  achieved  better  results  in  the  West  than  the  German-.American  nnd 
none  is  more  successful  to-day. 

X3 


ALFRED  S.  GILLETT 


PRESIDENT  GIRARD  EIRE  INSURANCE  COMPANY  OE  IT  I IDA  DEEPH  lA. 

The  true  principles  of  fire  insurance  are  most  alily  and  effectively  embodied  in 
the  plans  and  methods  of  the  Girard  Eire  Insurance  Company  of  Philadelphia.  This 
comjiany  has  already  achieved  a remarkable  success  under  the  able  management  of  Mr. 
Alfred  S.  Gillett,  the  President,  and  his  associates.  Its  excellent  system  and  liberal 
terms  have  attracted  the  attention  and  enlisted  the  patronage  of  the  best  classes  of  the 
puldic,  and  it  stands  forward  as  the  true  exponent  of  fire  insurance.  Mr.  Gillett 
organized  the  Girard,  and  for  nearly  the  whole  of  its  career  has  lieen  its  leading  spirit. 
It  commenced  business  with  a subscribed  capital  of  $200,000,  but  later  increased  it  to 
$300,000.  Its  present  available  assets  amount  to  nearly  $2,000,000,  after  having  paid 
dividends  approximating  $1,500,000.  Its  plan  is  safe,  equitable,  simjile,  practical  and 
mathematically  correct. 

Mr.  Gillett  is  a native  of  Heliron,  Parish  of  Gilead,  Connecticut,  born  in  the  year 
1818.  His  family  on  his  father's  side  were  among  the  early  residents  of  Old  Dorchester, 
iMassachusetts,  having  settled  there  in  1635.  Members  of  it,  however,  soon  removed  to 
Old  Windsor,  tin  the  Connecticut  River,  and  hence  were  among  its  earliest  white 
inhabitants.  The  father  of  Alfred,  Rev.  Nathan  Gillett,  was  for  a tjuarter  of  century 
the  clergyman  of  the  IMrish  of  Gilead,  Imt  he  subsetiuently  removed  with  his  family 
to  Western  New  'Wirk,  where  he  continued  his  ministerial  duties  for  many  years.  His 
father  was  a soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  Wkir,  and  served  during  the  eight  years. 
Rev.  Nathan  Gillett  married  Miss  Lydia  Jones,  of  Hebron,  daughter  of  Capt.  Samuel 
Jones,  who  was  also  an  officer  in  the  Colonial  Army,  serving  with  Gen.  Israel  Putnam, 
under  a commission  granted  by  King  George  II. 

After  the  removal  of  Rev.  Nathan  Gillett  and  family  to  Western  New  York,  his 
son  Alfred  was  sent  back  to  Connecticut  to  complete  his  education,  and  subsequently 
to  enter  the  counting  house  of  an  older  brother.  At  a still  later  period  he  engaged  in 

business  in  Georgia  on  his  own  account,  and  not  until  the  friendly  relations  between 
the  North  and  South  had  almost  ceased,  and  war  became  imminent,  did  he  turn  his 
face  northward  again  for  business.  He  commenced  his  career  in  Massachusetts,  at 
Chicopee,  then  a jiart  of  old  Springfield.  At  that  time  Cabotville  and  Chicopee  were 
both  embraced  in  what  is  now  known  as  the  City  of  Siningfield,  but  later  on  the  two 
former  became  one  township  and  re-assumed  the  old  Indian  name  of  Chicopee,  thus 

forming  a very  busy  town  of  itself. 

Springfield,  however,  in  conse(|uence  of  important  railroad  interests  centering  there, 
soon  outstripped  its  neighbor,  and  has  long  held  supremacy  as  the  leading  city  in 
Western  Massachusetts.  It  was  during  the  period  when  Chicopee’s  future  seemed  so 
promising  that  Mr.  Gillett  located  there  and  embarked  in  the  insurance  business.  At 

that  time  the  underwriting  business  of  the  country  was  almost  wholly  local  in  its  char- 
acter— a “general  insurance  agency”  where  various  kinds  of  insurance  could  be 

obtained  in  different  companies  through  a single  agent  being  then  unheard  of — and  it 
is  said  that  Mr.  Gillett  was  among  the  earliest  pioneers  in  this  innovation,  if  indeed  he 
was  not  the  first  to  establish  an  agency.  After  spending  a number  of  years  in  merchan- 
dising, he  entered  the  insurance  business  in  1846,  and  soon  had  the  agency  of  half  a 
dozen  companies,  fire  and  life,  among  them  the  Connecticut  .Mutual  Life,  of  which  he 
was  one  of  the  first  agents.  I lis  business  jirospered,  averaging  one  hundred  policies  per 
week.  This  was  due  in  iiart  to  Mr.  Gillett's  enterprise  in  the  use  of  printer's  ink. 


<S() 


T H K r \ 1)  E R W RITE  R. 


In  this  direction  Mr.  Gillett  conceived  the  idea  of  publishing  a journal  on  his  own 
account,  devoted  to  the  interests  of  the  insurance  Imsiness.  The  hrst  number  was 
issued  March  6,  1H50,  under  the  title  of  “The  Insurance  Advocate  and  Journal.”  The 
paper  was  instructive  and  readalde,  and  secured  an  extensive  circulation  throughout  the 
State.  It  was  the  hrst  underwriting  journal  published  in  the  United  States.  Yielding 
to  an  advantageous  offer,  Mr.  Gillett  disposed  of  his  Massachusetts  business  and  went 
to  Philadelphia,  where  his  history  from  that  time  forth  has  also  formed  an  important 
jxirt  of  the  insurance  history  of  Philadeljdiia.  For  forty-five  years  his  career  has  been 
interwoven  with  that  of  insurance  and  he  is  a most  agreeable  and  trustworthy  business 
man. 

biarlv  in  life  .Mr.  Gillett  married,  for  his  hrst  \vife,  a Miss  Martha  Fuller,  daughter 
of  Gen.  Asa  b'uller,  of  Somers,  Connecticut.  Two  children  were  born  to  this  union, 
but  both  are  now  deceased.  In  i8<S3  he  was  again  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Elbe 
Gratz,  the  daughter  of  Fdward  Gratz,  of  Philadeljdiia.  Mr.  Gillett  has  traveled  quite 
extensively,  both  in  this  country  and  in  Europe,  and  is  a man  well  informed  on  general 
subjects. 


WIELIAM  EGBERT  KOEEO. 

(niXERAI.  AOE.X  r WESTERN  I )ErAR  l'.M  EN'l'  nF  THE  (URARD  EIRE  INSURANCE  CO.MPANV. 

Among  prominent  insurance  companies  of  the  United  States,  one  of  the  oldest, 
most  substantial  and  most  popular  is  that  knowm  as  the  Girard  Eire  and  Marine 
Insurance  Company,  of  Philadeljdiia,  whose  management  is  characterized  by  a wise 
conservatism  and  a careful  selection  of  risks,  which  have  contributed  materially  toward 
producing  the  most  satisfactory  financial  results.  The  company  offers  the  most  favorable 
inducements  to  the  insuring  juiblic  consistent  with  legitimate  insurance  methods,  and  is 
noted  for  its  fidelity  to  every  undertaking,  and  the  jiromjitness  with  which  it  adjusts 
and  jiays  all  losses.  William  E.  Kollo,  General  Agent  for  this  noted  comjiany,  was 
born  January  3,  1821,  in  Gilead  Parish,  town  of  Hebron,  Connecticut,  but  for  many  years 
has  been  a resident  of  Chicago,  having  charge  of  the  Western  Dejiartment  of  the 
comjiany.  His  jiarents  \vere  Raljdi  K.  and  Sybil  (Post)  Kollo,  and  his  jiaternal  grand- 
father, William  Kollo,  was  a Captain  in  the  Revolutionary  Army. 

William  E.  Kollo  was  educated  in  East  Whndsor,  and  in  East  Hartford  .Academy, 
Connecticut.  In  early  life  he  assisted  his  father  in  the  arduous  duties  on  the  farm,  but 
later  taught  school  one  season  and  then  drifted  into  a clerkshij').  In  1850  he  located 
in  Columbus,  Ohio,  where  he  engaged  in  the  insurance  business,  rejw'esenting  the 
Hartford  I'ire  Insurance  Comjiany,  the  Connecticut  Alutual  Life  Insurance  Comjiany  of 
Hartford,  the  Sjuingfield  Eire  and  Marine  Insurance  Comjiany  of  Alassachusetts,  and 
the  State  Mutual  of  Pennsylvania.  In  1858  he  became  connected  with  the  Girard  Eire 
and  Marine  Insuimnce  Comjiany  of  Philadeljihia,  and  is  still  in  its  service.  In  1859  he 
established  an  agency  of  the  Girard  in  Chicago,  and  ajijiointed  agents  for  that  comjiany 
in  other  Western  and  some  Southern  localities. 

In  the  year  1863  Mr.  Kollo  organized  the  Alerchants'  Insurance  Company  of 
C'hicago,  and  this  comjiany  made  rajiid  jirogress  until  the  great  conflagration  of  1871, 
which  destroyed  a large  jiortion  of  its  assets,  and,  together  with  its  losses,  closed  uji  the 
comjiany.  During  Mr.  Kollo's  connection  with  the  Alerchants’  Insurance  Comjiany  of 
Chicago,  he  was  local  agent  of  the  Putnam  Insurance  Comjiany  of  Hartford,  Connecticut, 


88 


THE  II  X D E R W R I T E R. 


of  the  Fireman’s  Fund  Insurance  Company  of  California,  and  of  <:he  St.  Paul  Fire  and 
Marine  Insurance  Company  of  St.  Paul,  Minnesota. 

In  1872  Mr.  Rollo  reorganized  the  Traders’  Insurance  Company  of  Chicago,  and 
continued  with  it  until  his  interests  in  other  companies  of  which  he  had  charge  were 
so  extended  that,  in  order  to  relieve  himself  of  a part  of  his  cares,  he  resigned  his 
oflice  as  Secretary.  In  November,  1872,  he  was  appointed  agent  of  the  Western 
Assurance  Comjiany  of  Toronto,  Canada,  being  the  first  agent  appointed  by  that  company 
in  the  United  States,  and  he  still  continues  to  re]'>resent  that  company  in  connection 
with  his  son.  Both  men  stand  high  with  the  leading  business  men,  capitalists  and 
manufacturers  of  the  city  and  do  an  extensive  and  highly  satisfactory  business  for  the 
companies  they  represent. 

Mr.  I\ollo  has  traveled  over  most  of  the  states  of  the  Union  and  is  a well  informed 
man.  In  politics  he  has  always  voted  for  the  nominee  whose  political  principles  are  in 
accord  with  his  own,  irrespective  of  party  affiliations.  His  religion  is  based  upon  a 
belief  in  God  and  the  principles  of  righteousness.  He  selected  his  wife  in  the  person 
of  Miss  Jane  T.  Fuller,  daughter  of  General  Fuller  t)f  Fllington,  Connecticut,  and  their 
union  was  celebrated  in  the  year  1845.  To  this  union,  have  been  born  three  children, 
two  daughters  and  one  son.  The  latter  has  Ijeen  associated  with  his  father  in  business 
for  nineteen  years  and  over. 

WILLIAM  FULLER  ROLLO 

(;KXEKAL  A(;KNT  western  department  oe  the  girard  eire  insurance  co.mranv. 

The  absolute  necessity  for  lieing  protected  against  ruinous  loss  by  fire  is  nowhere 
more  fully  realized  than  in  large  cities,  and  in  them  fire  insurance  companies  have 
found  fertile  fields  of  usefulness.  It  is  the  most  effective  means  that  has  ever  been 
devised  to  afford  such  protection,  but  it  is  a well  established  fact  that  all  insurance  does 
not  insure;  and  in  this  connection  the  financial  condition  and  reputation  of  insurance 
companies  must  be  carefully  considered,  as  well  as  the  character  and  standing  of  those 
who  control  the  local  agencies.  Among  the  oldest  and  best  known  representatives  of 
the  most  famous  and  successful  fire  insurance  organizations,  the  firm  of  Mhlliam  E. 
Rollo  & Son  holds  a high  place.  This  firm  represents  the  Girard  Fire  and  Marine 
Insurance  Gompany  of  Philadelphia  as  Managers  of  the  Western  Department,  and  the 
Western  Assurance  Company  of  Toronto,  as  Cook  County  Managers. 

W’illiam  F.  Rollo  is  a native  of  Philadelphia,  born  February  15,  i860,  and  has 
been  connected  with  his  father  in  the  insurance  business  for  over  nineteen  years.  He 
is  held  in  high  esteem  in  professional  circles  for  his  great  ability  and  experience,  as 
well  as  his  strict  integrity,  honor  and  jirobity,  and,  although  young  in  years,  is  thoroughly 
familiar  with  all  that  pertains  to  insurance.  His  parents  are  both  natives  of  the 
Nutmeg  State  and  descendants  of  old  and  jirominent  families  there.  Mdien  but  an 
infant  he  was  brought  to  Chicago  by  his  parents  and  grew  to  manhood  in  that  city. 
In  the  public  schools  of  Chicago,  and  in  a local  academy,  he  received  a thorough 
education,  and  when  l)ut  seventeen  years  old  began  his  career  in  the  insurance  business. 
When  he  had  reached  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  purchased  an  interest  in  the  firm  of 
William  F.  Rollo  & Company,  and  soon  after  this  the  firm  name  was  changed  to 
William  F.  Rollo  & Son.  Mr.  Rollo  and  his  father  represent  comjianies  whose  reputation 


r II  E r X I ) I-:  r w r i t e r. 


'.K) 

is  world  wide  and  who  are  prompt  and  reliable  in  adjusting  and  settlinj^  any  claims  for 
losses  that  may  occur  on  all  matters  connected  with  their  insurance. 

()n  the  31st  of  |anuary,  Mr.  K’ollo  was  wedded  to  Miss  Mary  R.  Smith  of 

Conneaut,  Ohio,  daughter  of  John  N.  Smith,  who  was  Captain  of  the  Second  Ohio 
Artillery  during  the  War  of  the  Rebellion.  They  have  five  children,  three  sons  and 
two  daughters,  all  of  whom  are  li\  ing. 

TIMOTHY  YOU  Lb:  P>ROWN 

.MF/IROPOLITAX  MAXACrKR  CLKXS  FALLS  AXI)  OTHFR  IXSFRAXCF  C(  ).M  I’AXIFS. 

Rusiness  men  everywhere  are  invited  to  examine  the  companies  which  Timothy 
Hrown  represents.  For  many  years  he  has  l)een  actively  interested  in  the  insurance 
business  and  in  all  the  intervening  time  no  one  has  failed  to  receive  payment  promptly 
for  any  and  all  losses  sustained,  who  took  out  jiolicies  with  the  companies  he  represents. 
This  is  a record  that  speaks  volumes  in  itself.  Men  are  judged  l)y  their  performances 
and  they  are  trusted  as  they  prove  themselves  worthy  of  confidence.  These  companies 
are  among  the  very  best  in  the  country  as  their  names  will  show;  Albany,  Buffalo 
G.,  Buffalo  Commercial,  Concordia,  Glens  Falks,  Grand  Ivapids,  Alilwaukee  j\L,  Michi- 
gan, New  I lamjishire.  New  Orleans  Insurance  Association  and  Rochester  G.  Mr.  Brown 
has  been  General  Agent  for  the  Itastern  States  for  the  past  twelve  years  and  from  the 
very  first  success  attended  his  efforts.  lie  has  had  great  experience  in  this  line  and  is 
a very  successful  business  man. 

Mr.  Brown  was  born  March  16,  1836,  in  New  York  City,  but  for  some  time  he 
has  been  a resident  of  Bergen  Point,  Hudson  County,  New  Jersey.  His  parents, 
biphraim  Daniels  Brown  and  Ann  (Twybill)  Brown,  were  born  in  New  York  City,  the 
father  of  old  New  bingland  stock  and  the  mother  of  binglish  origin.  Ephraim  1). 
P>rown  was  a man  of  more  than  ordinary  ability  and  for  over  forty  years  was  President 
of  the  Merchants’  and  Traders’  Bank  of  New  York  City. 

During  his  youth  Timothy  Y.  Brown  attended  the  Alechanics’  Societ}’  School,  a 
prominent  high  school  in  New  York  at  that  time,  and  received  thorough  training  for  a 
collegiate  course.  His  boyhood  days  were  happy  ones,  and  when  still  quite  young  he 
was  taken  in  the  bank,  of  which  his  father  was  president,  and  remained  there  for  six 
years.  ()n  the  28th  of  Deceml)er,  1858,  he  entered  the  insurance  Inisiness  as  Secretary 
of  the  Tradesman  Insurance  Company  of  New  York,  and  held  that  responsible  position 
for  twenty-six  years.  The  history  of  that  company  was  a success.  It  paid  large 
dividends  and  for  twenty  years  its  capital  was  $150,000.  It  paid  losses  of  $300,000  in 
the  P>oston  lire  and  $60,000  in  the  Chicago  conflagration,  l>esides  large  sums  in  other 
cities.  It  closed  up  business  in  1883  and  jxtid  its  stockholders  113. 

b'ollowing  this  Mr.  Brown  was  made  manager  of  the  Standard  Fire  Office  of 
London,  but  this  company  retired  from  the  United  States  about  a year  later,  and  he 
subsecpiently  started  in  the  lire  agency  business  in  New  ^\)rk  City.  For  nearly  twenty 
years  he  has  been  local  agent  in  New'  York  City  for  the  Glens  Falls  Insurance  Comj’'any 
and  the  Mibvaukee  Mechanics’  Insurance  Conqxiny.  Mr.  Brown  has  traveled  very 
extensiveh’  both  in  biurojie  and  the  United  States.  He  is  a Democrat  by  precejit. 
b'rom  early  ^anith  he  was  reared  to  the  bijiiscopal  faith.  He  selected  his  life  companion 
in  the  person  of  Miss  Mary  C.  Wkdton,  a fair  daughter  of  the  citv  of  New  York,  and 
their  nuptials  w'crc  celebrated  June  7,  i860.  She  is  of  an  old  New  York  family 
descended  from  the  Law'rences  and  Waltons  of  Revolutionaiw  times. 


MAJ()]^:  LIMNGSTON  MIMS 


MAXAGKR  SOUTHKRN  DEPARTMENT  GREENWICH  EIRE  INSURANCE  COMPANY. 

Whenever  an  attempt  is  made  to  write  the  history  of  a great  enterprise  or  the 
successful  career  of  any  man,  it  has  been  found  that  ability,  backed  by  ]uish  and  energy, 
lias  been  the  basis  of  it  all.  “The  record  of  a busy  life”  can  be  truly  applied  to  any 
sketch,  be  it  brief  or  long,  that  pretends  in  the  slightest  degree  to  be  a record  of  the 
life  and  services  of  Major  Livingston  Mims,  the  General  Manager  of  the  Southern 
Department  of  the  New  York  Life  Insurance  Company,  and  for  many  years  Manager 
of  the  Home  Insurance  Comjiany  in  the  South,  and  now  and  for  several  years  past 
Manager  of  the  Greenwich  Fire  Insurance  Company  of  New  York. 

Major  Mims  was  born  in  South  .Carolina,  but  when  quite  young  moved  with  his 
parents  to  iMississippi,  where  he  received  his  education.  Having  selected  law  as  his 
choice  of  a vocation,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  before  the  age  of  twenty.  There,  at 
the  outbreak  of  the  war,  he  was  a prominent  and  wealthy  young  jilanter,  engaged  con- 
spicuously in  the  politics  of  the  times,  and  for  a number  of  years  occupying  the  most 
responsible  and  lucrative  position  in  any  of  the  Southern  States,  namely,  that  of  the 
Supervisory  Court  of  Chancery  for  Mississippi,  and  also  a State  Senator,  and  distin- 
guished for  his  campaign  as  one  of  the  electors  for  Breckinridge  and  Lane  for  President 
in  the  memorable  contest  of  i860. 

His  record  during  the  war  is  closely  identified  with  the  leaders  of  the  Confederate 
service,  and  he  was  for  some  time  on  the  staff  of  the  late  (fieneral  Joseph  E.  Johnston. 
The  close  of  the  war  brought  with  it  to  Major  Mims,  as  it  did  to  so  many  of  his 
countrymen,  utter  wreck  of  fortune,  and  it  was  then  that  he  turned  his  attention  to  the 
insurance  business,  in  which  he  has  been  so  conspicuous  a success.  He  conceived 

and  carried  out  a plan  for  liringing  South  the  managing  agency  of  one  of  the 
large  insurance  companies  of  New  York,  and  was  appointed  Southern  Manager,  greatly 
to  the  benefit  of  that  company. 

In  i8()8,  with  his  commission  as  General  Manager  of  the  New  York  Life  for 

Mississippi,  Alabama,  Georgia  and  Florida,  he  returned  to  ^Mississippi  and  formed  a 

partnership  with  General  Joseph  F.  Johnston  and  Governor  Benjamin  R.  Humphreys, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Joseph  E.  Johnston  and  Company.  For  five  years  the  firm 
had  the  agency  of  the  Liverpool  and  London  and  Globe  Insurance  Company  for  its 
Southern  Department,  with  headquarters  at  Savannah,  and  did  the  largest  business  ever 
conducted  in  the  State.  At  the  same  time  the  firm  had  the  management  of  the  New 
York  Life  Insurance  Company,  and  a large  business  was  done.  In  1873  the  firm 

resigned  the  agency  of  the  Liverpool  and  London  and  Globe,  and  at  once  accepted  the 
management  of  the  Home  Insurance  Company  of  New  York  for  nine  Southern  States. 

General  Johnston  retired  from  the  firm  eight  years  ago,  and  upon  Major  Mims 
has  rested  the  entire  responsibility  of  the  business.  The  jiosition  of  the  “Home”  in  the 
South,  it  is  well  known,  is  largel}'  due  to  his  efforts  and  popularity  with  the  public, 
as  well  as  his  great  inffuence  with  the  agents.  To  iMajor  Mims  the  insurance  interests 
in  the  South  owe  a great  deal.  For  two  years  he  was  Bresident  of  the  Underwriters’ 
Association  of  the  South,  and  was  for  seven  years  the  Bresident  of  the  Southeastern 
Tariff  Association,  iiositively  declining  re-election  thereafter.  His  high  social  distinction 
is  best  evidenced  by  his  presidency  for  ten  years  past  of  the  Capital  Cit}'  Club  in 
■Vtlanta,  Georgia,  perhajis  the  most  distinguished  club  in  the  South. 

Major  Mims  is  a typical  Southern  gentleman,  his  personal  courtesy  and  hospitality 


T H E U N D E W R I T E R. 


<)4 

being  proverbial.  His  reputation  as  a presiding  officer  and  executive  has  ever  been  of 
an  honorable,  considerate  and  exceptionally  well  equipped  man.  Upon  his  refusal  to 
stand  for  re-election  as  President  of  the  Underwriters’  Association  in  1894,  associa- 
tion presented  him  with  a magnificent  silver  service  as  a testimonial  of  appreciation  of 
his  services.  Distinguished  in  appearance  and  manners,  the  generous  host,  the  energetic, 
influential  man  of  business,  it  is  hardly  to  be  wondered  at  that  his  success  has  been 
as  it  is. 


ISAAC  REMSEN  LANE 

rRESlDENT  IIAN()\'ER  EIRE  INSURANCE  COMl'ANV  OF  NEW  YORK. 

The  fire  insurance  interests  have  enjoyed  a degree  of  prosperity  fully  equal  to  any 
other  branch  of  liusiness.  Their  history  is  the  history  of  every  other  class  of  enterprise 
in  this  country.  It  is  one  of  small  beginnings,  of  slow  but  certain  development  at  first, 
and  finally  of  the  most  vigorous  and  luxuriant  growth.  One  of  the  most  substantial 
and  reliable  insurance  conijmnies  of  this  kind  in  the  United  States  is  the  Hanover  Phre 
Insurance  Com}iany  of  New  York.  It  was  organized  xApril  15,  1852,  with  a cash  capital 
of  $150,000.  The  company  grew  steadily,  advancing  its  capital  in  1857  to  $200,000, 
and  to  $400,000  in  1S63.  In  January,  1864,  its  assets  were  $493,872.  In  the  confla- 
grations of  Chicago,  in  1871,  and  Boston,  1872,  it  was  caught,  like  other  prominent 
companies,  to  the  extent  of  a little  over  half  a million  dollars,  and  was  forced  to  reduce 
its  capital  to  $250,000,  but  in  1873  it  returned  to  its 'previous  amount,  and  in  1875 
another  $100,000  was  added.  In  1881  the  capital  was  made  a round  million  dollars. 

'Phe  Ih'esidents  of  the  Hanover  have  been;  John  N.  Wyckoff,  1852;  S.  H.  Roken- 
baugh,  1856:  Doras  L.  Stone,  i860:  Benjamin  S.  Walcott,  i866;  and  I.  Remsen  Lane, 
[890.  The  Secretaries  have  lieen:  John  V.  Harriott,  1852;  /klexander  McKie,  1853: 

Doras  L.  Stone,  1854:  B.  S.  Walcott,  1859:  I.  Remsen  Lane,  i866;  Charles  L.  Roe, 

1890.  The  present  officers  are:  Mr.  Lane,  President;  Howard  P.  Gray,  \hce-Presi- 

dent  (also  Manager  of  the  Western  Department,  with  headquarters  at  Chicago);  Charles 
A.  Shaw,  Second  Vice-President;  Charles  L.  Roe,  Secretary,  and  Joseph  McCord, 
Assistant  Secretary.  The  assets  of  the  company,  July  i,  1895,  ’^vere  $2,423,355,  and 
the  net  surplus  $239,416.  The  total  premiums  received  from  the  organization  to  the 
beginning  of  1895  were  $27,362,878.  Losses  paid,  $15,485,725.  Cash  dividends  paid 
to  stockholders,  $2,409,500,  and  a stock  dividend  of  $100,000.  The  Hanover  does 
business  in  nearly  every  State  in  the  Union.  It  occupies  its  own  building.  No.  34 
and  34j^  Pine  Street,  New  York.  This  company  has  throughout  the  forty-four  years 
during  which  it  has  been  engaged  in  business  commended  itself  to  the  favor  of  the 
insurance  pulilic  by  the  jiromptness  with  which  all  losses  are  settled,  and  its  uniformly 
fair  and  honorable  methods  of  dealing  with  the  public.  There  is  no  corporation  in  the 
fire  insurance  business  which  can  point  to  a more  honorable  record  than  that  embraced 
in  the  years  covered  by  the  Hanover  Insurance  Company. 

Isaac  Remsen  Lane,  President  Hanover  Lire  Insurance  Comjiany  of  New  York, 
was  born  in  New  h’ork  City  in  1840.  At  present  he  is  a resident  of  Orange,  New 
Jersey.  During  his  youth  he  secured  a good  practical  education  in  Wkird  School 

Number  12,  New  h’ork,  and  in  1855  passed  the  examination  for  entrance  into  what 
was  then  known  as  the  “New  ’^"ork  P'ree  xVeademv,"  now  the  “College  of  the  City  of 
New  ^Mrk.”  It  was  ordained,  however,  that  he  should  not  devote  himself  to  a college 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


course,  for  before  the  term  opened  he  was  recpiested  to  fill  temporarily  the  place  of  a 
clerk  who  had  met  with  an  accident.  This  was  in  the  office  of  the  Hamilton  Fire 
Insurance  Company  of  New  \'ork,  and  instead  of  being  there  a few  weeks,  as  expected, 
he  continued  with  the  company  seven  years,  or  until  1862. 

After  a short  period  in  the  United  States  service  during  the  Civil  War,  when  he 
served  as  a member  of  the  Seventh  Regiment,  New  York  State  National  Guards,  during 
1861-62-63,  and  the  draft  riots  in  New  York  City,  in  the  last  named  year,  he  entered 
the  employ  of  the  Williamslnirg  City  h'ire  Insurance  Company  as  first  clerk  in  its  New 
York  office,  in  1863.  In  January  of  the  following  year  he  accepted  a like  position  with 
the  Hanover  Fire  Insurance  Company,  with  which  he  has  been  identified  ever  since, 
making  thirty-two  years  of  continuous  service. 

Upon  the  death  of  President  Doras  L.  Stone,  in  1866,  the  then  Secretary,  Benjamin 
S.  Whdcott,  was  advanced  to  the  presidency  and  Mr.  Lane  became  Secretary.  In  the 
year  1877  the  office  of  Vice-President  was  created  and  Air.  Lane  was  elected  to  fill 
that  position  in  addition  to  the  duties  and  title  of  Secretary.  In  February,  1890, 

President  Walcott  died  suddenly  and  Air.  Lane  was  shortly  afterward  elected  to  fill  the 
vacancy.  He  is  well  and  favorably  known  as  a financier  and  business  man.  Air. 
Lane’s  tastes  are  of  a literary  nature  and  have  special  reference  or  bent  to  the  study 
of  the  early  history  of  our  own  country.  He  has  never  cared  for  political  office,  but 
has  attended  strictly  to  business,  the  various  duties  of  the  offices  he  has  filled  with  the 
Hanover  keeping  him  fully  employed.  Socially  he  is. a member  of  the  Society  of  the 
Sons  of  the  American  Revolution;  Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac;  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic;  the  Grolier  Glub  and  various  historical  societies. 


HOWARD  P.  GRAY 

VICE-rRESlDENT  AM)  GENERAL  AGENT  WESTERN  DEPART.M  EN  l'  OF  THE  HANOVER  INSURANCE 

CO-MPANV. 

The  life  of  any  man  is  of  great  benefit  to  the  community  in  which  he  resides 
when  all  his  eflorts  are  directed  toward  its  advancement,  and  when  he  is  honest,  upright 
and  progressive.  Howard  P.  Gray,  A'ice-President  and  General  Agent  of  the  Hanover 
I'ire  Insurance  Gompany  of  New  Wrk,  is  a gentleman  who  has  steadily  grown  in  pop- 
ularity with  the  company  since  his  connection  with  it,  and  not  only  is  he  widely  known 
in  insurance  circles  but  is  a worthy  and  substantial  citizen  of  the  community  in  which 
he  lives.  He  now  makes  his  home  at  Evanston,  Illinois. 

Air.  Gray  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Alaryland,  December  17,  1840,  and  secured  a 
good  practical  education  in  the  private  schools  of  that  city.  In  1861,  when  about 
twenty-one  years  old,  he  entered  the  United  States  Navy  and  revenue  cutter  service, 
and  was  thus  engaged  until  1870.  Five  years  later  he  was  with  the  Agricultural,  New 
A’ork,  l)ut  in  1877  went  with  Alexander  Stoddart,  General  Agent  of  the  New  A’ork 
Underwriters’  Agency,  and,  with  the  exception  of  about  seven  months,  remained  with 
him  until  1893. 

So  well  was  Air.  (fray  jiosted  on  insurance  and  so  ably  did  he  discharge  the  various 
duties  devolving  upon  him  that  his  services  were  recognized  by  other  companies,  and  on 
the  ist  of  July,  1893,  he  was  made  General  Agent  of  the  Western  Department  of  the 
Hanover  I'ire  Insurance  Company.  On  the  ist  of  July  of  1894  was  made  A'ice- 


'r  H E U N D E R W R I T E R. 


‘J8 

President  of  that  organization,  a position  he  now  holds.  Socially,  Mr.  Gray  is  a Thirty- 
second  Degree  Mason,  Oriental  Consistory  of  Chicago,  and  a member  of  the  Lodge 
Chapter  and  Commandery  at  Evanston.  He  has  spent  a great  deal  of  his  life  in  trav- 
eling, and  has  been  in  every  habitable  ]'>art  of  the  globe.  In  religion  he  is  an  Episcopalian 
and  in  politics  a Democrat.  October  5,  1869,  he  wedded  Miss  Imogen  Skinner  and  of 
the  three  children  born  to  them  two  are  now  living. 


THE  HARTEORD  EIRE  INSURANCE  COMPANY. 

The  history  of  the  Hartford  F'ire  Insurance  Company  is  in  a great  measure  the 
history  of  the  fire  insurance  in  America  taken  at  its  best.  This  company  is  a con- 
servative one,  conducted  along  perfectly  safe  lines,  assuring  protection  to  all  parties  at 
interest.  It  appears  to  business  men  as  though  it  had  personality,  so  familiar  have 
they  become  with  it  and  so  much  respect  do  they  entertain  for  it.  Unlike  an  individual 
it  does  not  show  evidence  of  age,  l)ut  on  the  contrary  is  more  alive,  more  alert  and  more 
vigilant  than  it  was  eighty-six  years  ago.  More  than  this,  it  is  like  wine  which  grows  better 
with  age.  The  affairs  of  the  company  were  never  in  such  good  shape  as  now,  and  its 
foundations  are  as  secure  as  could  be  desired  by  its  most  interested  supporter. 

The  Hartford  was  chartered  by  the  legislature  of  1810.  and  organized  on  June 
27th  of  the  same  year,  but  its  real  origin  is  to  be  found  as  far  back  as  the  year  1794, 
when  a private  association,  using  the  same  name,  issued  policies  through  Sanford  & 
Wadsworth,  a firm  of  Hartford  merchants.  To  understand  this,  it  must  be  remembered 
that  early  insurance  was  largely  an  individual  matter;  one  or  more  persons  underwrote 
the  policies  and  they  or  some  third  person  placed  the  insurance.  Unfortunately,  little 
is  known  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Hartford  Eire  Insurance  Company  of  1794.  It  was 
an  unchartered  organization  and  its  records  have  not  been  preserved. 

The  charter  of  the  later  organization  provided  for  a capital  of  $150,000,  ten  per 
cent  of  which  was  to  be  paid  in.  The  subscribers  were  generally  solid  men,  but  a 
more  important  fact  was  that  the  volume  of  business  was  small  and  that  with  reasonable 
good  fortune  the  cash  capital  might  be  expected  to  more  than  meet  all  demands  for 
some  time  to  come.  No  loss  occurred  until  1812,  and  the  total  for  that  year  was 
$112.10.  In  the  year  1816  it  was  voted  that  the  stockholders  should  pay  twenty-five 
]ier  cent  of  their  dues  on  the  next  renewal  of  their  notes,  and  twenty-five  per  cent  at 
each  subseijuent  renewal,  until  the  “whole  of  the  note  was  paid.”  Another  interesting 
item  in  the  early  history  of  the  company  was  the  vote  passed  at  first  meeting  of  the 
directors  that  the  money  in  the  bank  should  be  withdrawn  only  on  the  check  of  the 
President,  countersigned  by  the  Secretary.  'I'he  first  President  was  Nathaniel  Terry, 
and  the  first  Secretary  Walter  Mitchell. 

Almost  at  the  beginniim  of  its  existence  the  Hartford  saw  the  need  of  working 
through  agents  to  develop  business.  In  spite  of  the  activity  indicated  by  the  appoint- 
ment of  agents  and  other  matters  of  record,  the  comjxiny  did  not  make  the  progress 
in  the  second  decade  that  had  been  hojied  and  expected.  In  1835  several  new  members 
of  the  Board  of  Directors  were  elected  and  this  board  chose  Eliphalet  Terry  President 
and  James  C.  Hollos,  Secretary.  Under  the  new  management  there  was  an  immediate 
improvement  of  business.  The  same  year  (1835)  tame  the  news  of  the  great  fire  of 
New  'S'ork.  It  caused  a veritable  panic;  mcxst  of  the  insurance  companies  confessed 


FIRE  AND  A R I N E. 


99 


themselves  unable  to  meet  their  obligations,  blere  was  a "reat  opportunity  for  the 
Hartford  Fire  Insurance  Company.  Mr.  Terry  and  Air.  l^ollos  started  in  a sleigh  for. 
New  York.  The  journey  was  a difficult  one,  but  it  resulted  in  establishing  a reputation 
for  the  Hartford  which  was  invaluable.  In  the  midst  of  the  panic  and  distrust  Mr. 
Terry  announced  that  he  was  there  to  pay  all  losses  of  his  company  in  full  and  to 
take  new  insurance.  Right  there  he  probably  did  the  greatest  stroke  of  business  of  his 
life.  The  company  paid  out  for  losses  by  this  fire  $64,973.54,  but  it  gained  a standing 
that  was  worth  all  that  was  lost. 

Between  the  years  1845  and  1849  the  company  sustained  heavy  losses,  as  it  did 
between  1865  and  1866.  Then  after  an  interval  of  about  five  years  occurred  the 
disastrous  fire  of  Chicago,  followed  in  a little  more  than  a year  by  that  of  Boston.  At 
Chicago  the  Hartford  was  one  of  the  first  among  the  few  companies  that  stood  the 
shock  to  announce  that  all  claims  should  be  met  in  full.  Whthin  four  months,  and  for 
the  most  part  within  ninety  days,  the  company  paid  claims  aggregating  $ 1,933, 562.04, 
not  one  cent  of  which  was  paid  under  litigation.  The  great  Boston  conflagration 
comjfleted  the  destruction  of  some  companies  which  had  survived  the  Chicago  fire.  For 
losses  in  this  fire  the  Hartford  paid  $485,316.71,  and  again  j^roved  its  stability  and  its 
purj^ose  to  meet  all  demands  promptly  and  fairly.  Such  a record  is  its  own  argument 
for  integrity,  ability  and  determination. 

Meantime  some  changes  in  the  officers  had  taken  place,  for  in  1849  President 
Terry  resigned  and  was  succeeded  by  Hezekiah  Huntington,  and  in  the  following  year 
Secretary  liollos  retired  and  his  jflace  was  supplied  l)y  the  choice  of  Charles  Taylor. 
In  1852  the  latter  was  succeeded  by  A.  F.  Whlmarth,  who  in  six  months  was  in  turn 
succeeded  by  Timothy  C.  Allyn.  Whth  the  beginning  of  1864  Timothy  C.  Allyn  was 
elected  President,  succeeding  Mr.  Huntington,  who  declined  reelection,  and  George  M. 
Coit  became  Secretary.  In  1867  George  L.  Chase,  for  many  years  connected  with 
insurance  and  railroad  interests  in  the  WTst,  and  for  five  years  Assistant  General  Agent 
of  the  Hartford,  was  called  from  Chicago  to  assume  the  presidency,  and  has  ably  filled 
the  position  ever  since.  Air.  Allyn  having  resigned  to  go  to  New  A'ork.  Since  1867 
three  secretaries  have  succeeded  to  the  jiosition,  viz. : J.  I).  Browne,  Charles  B. 

Whiting  and  P.  C.  Royce,  who  is  the  present  incumbent. 

Since  organization  the  Hartford  has  received  total  premiums  amounting  to 
$83,673,149,  and  has  paid  for  losses  $49, 763,332,  the  average  loss  ratio  being  about 
fifty-nine  per  cent.  The  tcRal  cash  dividends  declared  since  organization  amount  to 
$8,013,100,  while  stock  dividends  to  the  amount  of  $950,000  have  been  made.  In  1876 
the  capital  stock  was  increased  from  $1,000,000  to  $1,250,000,  at  which  it  has  since 
remained.  The  assets  for  the  year  1895  were  $9, 229,213.  the  net  surplus  $2,900,894, 
the  premiums  $5,767,366,  and  the  risks  in  force  $707,465,610.  From  the  company's 
records  is  given  the  ])remium  receipts  for  every  ten  years,  beginning  with  1820.  They 
are  as  follows:  1820,  $5,000:  1830,  $35,000;  1840,  $142,000;  1850,  $340,000;  i860, 

$674,000;  1870,  $1,605,000;  1880,  $1,607,000;  1890,  $3,126,000,  and  1894,  $5,767,366. 


ge()rc;k  lewis  chase 


PRESIDENT  OE  THE  IIARTEORD  EIRE  INSURANCE  COMPANY. 

l''roin  the  biography  of  every  man  may  be  gleaned  some  lessons  of  genuine  worth, 
for  it  is  here  that  we  discover  the  secret  of  his  success  or  failure.  It  is  the  men  of 
broad  and  comprehensive  views  who  give  life  to  communities  and  build  cities,  men  who 
have  foresight  and  energy,  pluck  and  perseverance  to  push  forward  their  enterprises  and 
make  a success  of  life,  but  who  retain  an  untarnished  reputation  through  it  all.  The 
name  of  George  L.  Chase  leads  the  list  of  pushing,  enterprising  men  of  this  class. 
Ills  name  is  a familiar  one,  for  since  the  year  1867  he  has  held  the  presidency  of  the 
Hartford  Eire  Insurance  Company,  and  his  underwriting  ability  and  his  executive  force 
in  that  capacity  are  strikingly  demonstrated  in  the  marked  success  achieved  by  the 
company.  It  is  something  to  be  the  executive  olhcer  of  a corporation  like  the  Hartford, 
and  his  career  is  worthy  of  emulation. 

Mr.  Chase  is  a native  of  Massachusetts,  born  in  Millbury,  Worcester  County,  January 
ly  1828,  and  the  son  of  Paul  Cushing  Chase,  who  was  a lineal  descendant  of  Atjuilla 
Chase,  the  first  memlier  of  the  family  to  settle  in  the  United  States.  Aquilla  Chase 
was  born  in  Cornwall,  England,  and  coming  to  this  countrv  settled  in  Hampton,  iMassa- 
chusetts,  in  1640.  The  links  in  the  chain  connecting  the  past  with  the  present  are- 
Acpuilla,  iMoses,  David,  Daniel,  Paul,  Joshua  and  Paul  Cushing. 

During  his  youth  young  Chase  received  thorough  training  in  the  regular  English 
course  of  studies  at  Millbury  Academy,  and  so  well  did  he  profit  by  this  that,  when 
desirous  of  engaging  in  business  for  himself,  he  was  well  ijualified  to  do  so.  His  first 
introduction  Jo  the  insurance  business  was  when  at  the  age  of  nineteen  he  became 
Local  Agent  in  his  native  jdace  for  the  Earmer’s  Mutual  Eire  Insurance  Company  of 
Georgetown,  Massachusetts.  Subse(|uent!y  he  was  elected  a member  of  the  Hoard  of 
Directors.  His  energy  and  tact  fitted  him  most  admirably  for  an  efficient  canvasser, 
and  he  ojierated  first  through  Southern  Massachusetts  and  hiastern  Connecticut. 

Within  a short  time  his  agency  included  four  companies  doing  business  on  the 
mutual  plan.  One  of  this  (]uartet,  the  Holyoke  IMutual  of  Salem,  is  still  successfully 
engaged  in  writing  policies.  In  the  year  1848  Mr.  Chase  became  Traveling  Agent  for 
the  People’s  Insurance  Company  of  Worcester,  with  which  he  remained  until  1852,  when 
he  went  west,  having  lieen  apjiointed  Assistant  Superintendent  of  the  Central  Ohio 
Railroad  Company.  His  ability  was  so  apparent  and  his  ideas  so  excellent  that  when 
a vacancy  occurred  he  was  advanced  to  the  office  of  General  Superintendent  of  the 
road.  As  he  believed  in  the  value  of  organization  he  was  among  the  representatives 
who  formed  the  first  Association  of  Railroad  Superintendents  in  the  United  States,  a 
meeting  for  the  purpose  being  held  in  Columbus  in  1854. 

I'he  business  career  he  had  first  selected  still  kept  its  hold  on  his  affections,  and, 
in  i860,  Mr.  Chase  resumed  his  connection  with  the  hre  insurance  business,  acceiiting 
the  Western  Agency  of  the  New  England  Eire  Insurance  Company  of  Hartford.  After 
filling  that  position  most  ably  for  three  years,  he  became  part  of  that  company  with 
which  the  rest  of  his  life  was  to  be  identified,  by  accepting  the  appointment  of  Assistant 
W’estern  General  Agent  of  the  Hartford  Eire  Insurance  Company. 

Mr.  Chase  has  displayed  ability  of  the  highest  order  in  all  the  jiositions  he  has 
occupied,  and  in  the  new  field  he  at  once  attracted  the  attention  and  approval  of  the 
Hoard  of  Direetors.  Just  before  he  entered  his  fourth  }ear  of  service,  he  was  called 
from  the  W’est  to  assume  the  iiresitlency  of  the  compau}-.  The  duties  of  his  responsible 


100 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


101 


position  were  ^reat,  and  it  was  only  after  due  reflection  that  Mr.  Chase  decided  to 
accept.  In  June,  1867,  he  succeeded  Timotliy  C.  Allyn  as  President. 

In  carry injj;  the  institution  successfully  through  the  calamities  of  Chicago  and 
P)Oston,  his  skill  as  a manager  and  his  varied  experience  were  early  put  to  the  test. 
His  management  of  the  company’s  business  has  been  unsurpassed  and  has  placed  him 
in  the  foremost  rank  of  fire  insurance  representatives.  Much  of  the  company’s  growth 
in  the  last  (juarter  of  a century  is  due  to  his  carefulness  over  details  which  often  escape 
the  notice  of  less  careful  managers. 

In  the  centennial  year  Mr.  Chase  was  elected  President  of  the  National  Board 
of  UnderwritersT  and  is  at  present  the  Board  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Legislation 
and  Taxation,  by  far  the  most  important  chairmanship  in  the  organization.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  and  one  of  the  \hce-Presidents  of  the  Society  for 
Savings,  which  is  the  largest  savings  bank  in  Connecticut:  and  is  also  a Trustee  of  the 
Connecticut  Trust  and  Safe  Deposit  Company,  and  a Director  in  the  American  National 
Bank.  He  is  also  a j)rominent  member  of  the  Hartford  Board  of  Trade,  and  is 
thoroughly  interested  in  the  industrial  develojnnent  and  prosperity  of  Hartford. 

In  religious  matters  President  Chase  is  a Congregationalist,  member  of  Asylum 
Hill  Church,  Hartford,  and  has  five  times  been  elected  President  of  the  Connecticut 
Congregational  Club.  In  June,  1892,  an  entertainment  was  given  by  the  Hartford  Fire 
Insurance  Company  to  its  employees,  and  the  Secretaries,  together  with  the  General  and 
Sjiecial  Agents,  presented  Mr.  Chase,  with  a silver  loving  cup,  as  a testimonial  com- 
memorative of  his  twenty-fifth  anniversary  as  President  of  the  company.  It  was  of 
uni(iLie  design,  with  appropriate  inscription,  and  very  beautiful. 

Mr.  Chase  was  married  January  8.  1851,  to  Miss  Calista  M.,  daughter  of  Judson 
and  Sarah  B.  Taft.  Three  children  have  been  added  to  the  family  circle,  a son  and 
two  daughters.  The  former,  i\Ir.  Charles  E.  Chase,  is  Assistant  Secretarv  of  the  com- 

pany  of  which  his  father  is  President.  He  married  IMiss  Helen  S.  Bourne  and  they 

have  one  daughter.  I’resident  Chase’s  younger  daughter  died  in  1866.  The  older 
married  Mr.  Charles  H.  Longley  in  1874.  She  died  in  1893. 

PHILANDER  CHASE  ROYCE 

SKCRETAkV  OF  THE  irARTFORI)  FIRE  INSURANCE  COMl’ANV. 

This  gentleman  represents  modern  progressive  ideas  and  is  not  only  a financier 
of  recognized  ability,  but  an  authority  on  all  matters  relating  to  the  history  of  insurance, 
with  which  he  is  especially  familiar.  His  long  association  with  the  Hartford  Fire 

Insurance  Company  has  given  him  a thorough  knowledge  of  its  affairs,  and  no  institution 
could  have  a more  able  secretary  or  a man  more  devoted  to  its  interests.  i\Ir.  Royce 
is  a product  of  the  Ih'airie  State,  born  in  Plainfield,  Illinois,  in  1838.  His  present 

residence  is  at  Hartford,  Connecticut. 

His  ixarents.  Miles  Royce  and  Sarah  Goodhue  Gilman  Royce,  were  natives  of 
Bristol,  Connecticut,  and  Old  Salem,  Massachusetts,  res]')ectively.  The  father’s  birth 
occurred  where  several  generations  of  his  ancestors  had  made  their  home,  and  when 
only  a boy  he  left  that  ]fiace  for  Western  New  York,  going  with  an  elder  brother.  In 
1834  he  went  to  Illinois,  but  not  having  the  foresight  to  see  that  in  a few  years' Chicago 
would  be  the  great  metropolis  of  the  WTst,  he  shook  the  mud  of  that  embryo  city  off 


102 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


from  him  as  soon  as  possible,  and  struck  out  across  the  swampy  prairies  for  hi^h  ground. 
H e located  at  what  was  then  known  as  Walker’s  Grove,  now  Plainheld,  where  he 
followed  his  business,  that  of  manufacturing  grain  cleaning  mills.  llis  wife  was  reared 
in  M eredith  Village,  on  Lake  Winnipiscogee,  where  she  remained  until  1834  and  then 
went  West  as  a missionary  teacher.  She  was  married  in  January.  1837.  She  traces 
her  family  back  to  the  first  emigrants  from  England,  in  1635. 

Philander  C.  Royce  received  his  primary  education  in  the  village  schools  of  his 
native  place  and  finished  in  Galesburg,  Illinois,  graduating  from  Knox  College  in  June, 
i860.  Ilis  early  life  did  not  differ  materially  from  those  of  other  boys  reared  in  small 
villages.  lie  was  taught  to  work  at  anything  necessary  for  him  to  do  and  to  make 
himself  useful  generally.  lie  was  an  inveterate  reader,  picking  uj'>  a book  at  every 
suitable  time  and  at  many  times  when  his  parents  and  friends  thought  unsuitable.  His 
ambition  was  to  secure  a liberal  education  and  become  a teacher  or  a professor.  As  a 
consecjuence  his  first  step  after  leaving  college  was  to  begin  teaching  school  in  his  native 
village,  his  means  not  being  sufficient  to  allow  him  to  venture  far  from  home.  He 
decided  on  this  vocation  from  the  fact  that  he  thought  he  could  do  better  in  it  than 
at  any  other  work. 

After  wielding  the  ferrule  for  a year  at  his  native  place  he  secured  a school  in  th.e 
village  of  Channahon  (Indian  meaning,  Meeting  of  the  Waters)  where  he  remained 
between  two  and  three  years.  From  there  he  went  to  Joliet,  the  county  seat  of  Will 
County,  and  there  superintended  the  schools  and'  was  principal  of  the  High  School, 
winning  an  enviable  reputation  as  an  instructor.  Although  he  had  met  with  unusual 
success  in  his  chosen  calling,  Mr.  Royce  found  that  he  had  reached  about  as  high  a 
position  as  he  could  hoj')e  to  attain  as  a teacher.  By  this  time,  too,  he  began  to  aspire 
for  a higher  income  than  that  paid  to  teachers  and  to  wish  for  more  independence  than 
that  which  usually  fell  to  the  lot  of  an  instructor  of  the  young. 

In  1866  he  was  ofiered  a small  insurance  agency  business,  already  established,  and 
he  therefore  resigned  his  position  as  teacher,  and  commenced  the  honorable  and  some- 
times more  profitable  business  of  a local  agent.  The  first  companies  represented  were 
the  Liverpool  and  Londcn  and  Globe,  the  Ifiienix  of  Brookl_yn,  the  International  of 
New  York,  and  the  Merchants  of  Chicago.  Finding  that  the  local  business  of  the  town 
was  not  sufficient  to  take  his  entire  time,  he  made  an  engagement  with  the  Merchants 
of  Chicago  to  travel  for  a j)ortion  of  his  time  as  Special  Agent.  He  was  to  commence 
the  I St  of  December,  1867,  but  a week  before  the  time  arrived  he  was  thrown  from  a 
carriage,  sustaining  a bad  compound  fracture  of  the  right  leg.  As  a result  he  did  not 
commence  work  until  in  March,  1868,  when  he  was  still  obliged  to  use  crutches. 

Al)Out  1870  he  found  that  his  entire  time  was  taken  as  special  agent  and  he 
disposed  of  his  interest  in  the  local  agency  business.  In  February  of  the  following  vear 
he  moved  to  Chicago  and  up  to  the  time  of  the  fire  there,  in  October.  1871,  was  engaged 
entirely  in  adjusting  losses  for  the  Merchants  of  Chicago  and  for  the  companies 
represented  in  their  office.  He  witnessed  the  great  fire  and  from  that  time  until  the 
1st  of  May,  1872,  was  engaged  in  work  on  the  ruins  of  the  Merchants,  with  now  and 
then  a little  attention  to  adjustment  of  losses  for  the  St.  Paul  Fire  and  Marine. 

On  the  1st  of  May,  1872,  he  began  work  for  the  Hartford  Fire  Insurance  Comjiany 
under  G.  F.  Bissell,  General  Agent,  and  remained  with  that  company  until  August, 
1876.  He  then  accepted  the  position  of  Secretai'}'  of  the  Girard  I'ire  and  Marine,  and 
removed  to  Philadelphia,  where  he  remained  until  the  1st  of  July,  1881.  He  then 


104 


T IT  I<:  IT  \ D E R W R I T E R. 


moved  to  Hartford,  having  accepted  the  iiosition  of  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Hartford 
h'ire  Insurance  Company,  and  five  years  later  was  a})}«)inted  Secretary  of  the  company, 
a position  he  has  since  held. 

On  the  first  call  for  three-months’  volunteers,  Mr.  Koyce  jdaced  his  name  on  the 
roll  of  McAllister’s  Battery,  but  as  his  younger  brother  insisted  on  going  and  the  parents 
thought  one  son  was  enough  to  enter  the  service,  Mr.  Koyce  remained  at  home.  He 
has  never  sought  political  preferment  but  has  tried  to  do  his  duty  as  a citizen,  and  in 
following  that  line  has  been  a member  of  the  Common  Council  for  four  years  and  for 
one  year  was  I’resident  of  the  Board.  His  travels  have  been  confined  almost  wholly 
to  business,  and  for  years  his  mileage  was  from  twenty-five  to  thirty  thousand  miles. 
Since  that  time  he  has  made  the  most  of  every  opportunity  to  stay  at  home. 

His  father  was  a strong  Episcopalian  and  his  mother  a Congregational  Puritan. 
He  was  named  for  and  christened  by  the  first  J3ishop  of  Illinois.  W’hile  residing  in 
Joliet  he  and  wife  joined  the  Episcopal  church  and  have  since  continued  members  of 
the  same.  He  is  now  a vestryman  of  Trinity  Parish  of  this  city.  In  politics  he  has 
always  been  a Republican. 

In  August,  1863,  he  married  iMiss  Cornelia  Schermerhorn.  Her  grandfather  was 
a slaveholder  residing  on  the  Hudson  below  Albany  at  the  time  the  slaves  were  set 
free.  Her  father  moved  West  about  1835  ^^id  settled  in  Will  County,  Illinois.  i\Ir. 
Koyce  stands  six  feet  high  in  his  shoes,  and  his  hair  and  l)card  were  black  before  the 
frost  of  time  had  touched  them. 

THOMAS  TUKNI3UEE. 

Thomas  Turnbull,  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Hartford  Eire  Insurance  Company, 
is  an  accomplished  insurance  man  by  taste  and  experience,  and  is  not  only  recognized 
as  an  underwriter  of  ability,  but  a courteous  gentleman  whom  it  is  a pleasure  to  meet, 
a man  of  jnxictical  ideas  on  all  insurance  affairs  who  conflhnes  modesty  with  rare  ability. 
He  is  a native  of  Scotland  and  has  inherited  all  the  sturdy  characteristics  belonging  to 
those  of  that  nativity.  A desire  to  try  his  fortune  in  the  New  World  caused  him  to 
leave  home  and  friends  and  come  to  the  United  States,  and  here  he  has  since  made 
his  home. 

While  still  but  a young  man  he  engaged  in  the  foreign  dry  goods  and  commission 
business  in  Philadelphia,  gained  the  entire  confidence  of  his  employers,  and  was  sent 
by  them  to  Europe  several  times  to  represent  their  interests.  Subsequently  he  became 
a member  of  the  firm  of  Merritt  & Turnbull,  and  was  engaged  in  the  wholesale  tea 
trade  in  the  cities  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  meeting  with  fair  success  in  this 
undertaking.  Being  possessed  (d  unbounded  energy,  sterling  honest}’  and  much  ]ud)hc 
spirit,  he  achieved  fair  success  in  all  his  business  ventures  and  became  widely  known 
and  widely  respected  for  his  sterling  (lualities. 

In  1869  he  l)ecame  connected  with  the  insurance  business,  entering  the  service  of 
the  Niagara  Eire  Insurance  Comj^any,  with  which  he  continued  as  special  m New  \’t)rk 
and  New  England  for  seven  years.  His  reputation  in  this  capacity  became  known  to 
other  companies  with  the  result  that,  in  1876,  Mr.  Turnbull  became  connected  with  the 
Hartford  h'ire  Insurance  Company  as  Ceneral  Agent  in  New  ^’ork  State.  Ten  }ears 
later,  or  in  the  year  1886,  he  was  aiipointed  Assistant  Secretarv  at  the  home  office,  a 
position  which  he  now  holds  with  credit  to  himself  and  the  company.  Mr.  'rurnbull  is 
man  of  decided  opinion  and  withal  a gentleman  of  fine  social  cjualities. 


CHARLES  EDWAIH)  CHASE. 


The  life  of  Charles  E.  Chase,  Second  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Hartford  Eire 
Insurance  Company,  has  been  marked  by  deep  conviction  of  duty,  which  has  led  him 
to  conscientiously  regard  all  trust  reposed  in  him.  Possessed  of  jn^aiseworthy  ambition 
to  succeed,  he  has  applied  himself  with  great  diligence  to  the  insurance  business, 
seizing  all  opportunities  for  informing  himself  thoroughly  as  to  minor  details.  This 
explains  his  ready  grasp  of  the  whole  field  of  operation  and  the  signal  success  that  has 
attended  his  efforts. 

Mr.  Chase  was  born  in  Dubuque,  Iowa,  March  29,  1857,  and  in  1863,  when 
about  six  years  old,  he  moved  with  his  parents  to  Chicago,  where  he  remained  until 
1867.  Erom  there  the  parents  removed  to  Hartford,  Connecticut.  In  this  city  young 
Chase’s  education,  which  had  begun  in  the  West,  was  completed  in  the  District  and 
High  Schools,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1876.  In  1877  he  entered  the  local 
agency  of  the  Hartford  Eire  Insurance  Company  and  continued  in  this  until  October, 
1880,  when  he  entered  the  home  office  of  the  company. 

In  July,  1890,  he  was  elected  Second  Assistant  Secretary  and  has  been  a valuable 
acijuisition  to  the  company’s  staff.  Aside  from  his  duties  in  this  capacity  he  has  been 
deejily  interested  in  city  affairs,  having  been  elected  Councilman  from  the  Eirst  Ward 
in  1892,  and  the  following  year  Alderman  from  the  same  ward.  He  served  in  the  latter 

capacity  for  two  years  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  concerned.  At  the  present  time  he 

is  actively  interested  in  a number  of  organizations  and  is  President  of  the  Hartford 
Board  of  Eire  Underwriters,  Director  of  the  Hartford  Bank,  Clerk  of  the  West  IMiddle 
School  District,  Secretary  of  the  I lartford  Club  and  a member  of  the  Republican  Club. 
Mr.  Chase  is  a Congregationalist  in  religion  and  a member  of  the  Society’s  Committee 
of  the  z\sylum  Hill  Congregational  Church. 

He  is  a friend  to  every  enterprise  which  tends  to  extend  the  influence  of  Hartford, 
and  has  proven  himself  an  excellent  and  useful  citizen.  He  selected  his  wife  in  the 
person  of  Miss  Helen  S.  Bourne,  and  their  marriage  occurred  in  the  year  1886.  This 
union  has  been  blessed  by  the  birth  of  two  children.  Since  the  age  of  twenty  i\Ir.  Chase 
has  been  connected  with  the  Hartford,  and  is  thoroughly  familiar  with  all  that  pertains 
to  insurance. 


GEORGE  ERANCIS  BISSELL 

l.A'l’K  GENERAI.  AGENT  WESTERN  DERART.MENT  1 lARl'FORl)  FIRE  INSURANCE  COMPANV. 

'I'he  sketch  here  given  is  a tribute  paid  to  the  memory  of  a man  whose  noble  and 
honorable  life  was  an  example  to  all.  George  E.  Bissell  died  as  he  had  lived,  a noble 
type  of  the  true  Christian  gentleman.  He  was  born  in  Manchester,  Connecticut,  June 
2 2,  1827,  and  came  of  good  Connecticut  stock.  He  was  the  grandson  of  Russell  Bissell, 
who,  taking  up  arms  as  a minute  man  under  Gen.  Israel  Putnam,  died  a major  in  the 
regular  army  after  the  war  for  Independence  had  closed.  His  great-grandfather,  Ozias 
Bissell,  was  net  only  a soldier  in  the  Continental  arm}',  but  when  the  war  for  inde- 
]iendence  was  declared  was  a veteran  who  had  gallantly  taken  jiart  in  more  than  one 
colonial  war.  'I'he  grandfather  on  the  maternal  side,  W'llliam  W'ilson,  was  a Revolu- 
tionary soldier.  With  such  a lineage  as  this  he  took  active  interest  in  the  organization 
of  the  Illinois  Society  of  the  Sons  of  the  American  Revolution,  and  was  one  of  the 
earliest  ]iresidents  of  the  societ}'.  He  was,  as  well,  an  active  member  of  the  Society  of 
Colonial  Wars,  and  took  part  in  its  organization  and  incorporation. 


108 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


Mr.  I^issell  was  educated  in  his  native  town,  and  on  attaining  to  man’s  estate 
engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  in  Hartford,  Connecticut.  In  1 850  he  decided  to  go 
to  what  was  then  the  Far  West,  and  settled  in  Dubiujue,  Iowa,  where,  in  connection 
with  a brother,  he  entered  the  grocery  and  commission  business.  This  he  soon  aban- 
doned to  I)ecome  the  local  agent  for  the  State  of  Iowa,  and  then  and  there  commenced 
his  career  as  an  underwriter,  which  he  so  eminently  and  successfully  made  his  life’s 
work.  In  1861  he  came  to  Chicago  and  continued  in  the  employ  of  the  company  as 
Sj:>ecial  Agent  under  General  Agent  Alexander  until  May  i,  1863,  when  he  succeeded 
that  gentleman  as  General  Agent  of  the  Western  Department.  At  the  time  of  his 
death  Mr.  Bissell  had  been  continuously  in  the  service  of  the  Hartford  for  more  than 
forty  years. 

During  the  great  fire  in  Chicago  in  1871  he  saw  his  company  lose  $2,000,000  in 
two  days,  but  he  at  once  set  about  adjusting  the  insurance  losses  and  settling  them 
satisfactorily  and  ecjuitably.  He  was  the  first  insurance  agent  after  the  fire  to  open  an 
office  in  the  city  and  negotiate  for  new  business  for  the  Hartford,  which  had  promptly 
met  its  losses  in  the  fire.  His  business  management  at  this  time  won  the  esteem  and 
confidence  not  only  of  associates  in  the  insurance  business,  but  with  the  public 
generally,  and  made  his  one  of  the  most  popular  and  trusted  agencies  in  the  West. 

Mr.  Bissell  was  a man  of  superior  abilities,  was  possessed  of  great  energy  of 
character  and  tenacity  of  purpose,  and  as  a public-spirited  citizen  he  identified  himself 
with  enterju'ises  that  j^romoted  the  public  interests  of  Chicago.  He  was  one  of  the 
founders  of  the  Union  League  Club,  Vice-President  in  1888  and  President  of  the  club 
in  i88g,  and  was  always  foremost  among  its  officers  and  members  to  advocate  and 
promote  plans  looking  to  the  business,  political  and  moral  welfare  of  the  city. 

Not  alone  interested  in  business  and  the  social  concerns  of  life,  Mr.  Bissell  was  a 
consistent  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  for  years  President  of  the  Presby- 
terian Social  Union,  in  which  office  he  actpiitted  himself  as  a genial,  elocpient  and  witty 
speaker,  as  well  as  the  promoter  of  many  charities;  far  reaching  and  not  wholly  confined 
to  the  church.  During  the  last  ten  years  of  his  life  he  was  treasurer  of  the  Old  People’s 
Home,  and  his  business  sagacity  contributed  greatly  to  its  success. 

During  his  busy  career  in  a busy  community,  and  always  time-driven  by  active 
charitable  work,  George  F.  Bissell  found  time  for  literarv  effort,  and  contributed  articles 
of  commanding  interest  to  insurance  journals,  as  well  as  finished  articles  of  a religious 
character  to  the  Interior  and  other  denominational  papers. 

Mr.  Bissell  displayed  untiring  industry  and  fidelity  in  the  discharge  of  the  many 
and  onerous  duties  devolving  upon  him  as  Manager  of  the  company’s  interests  in  his 
field.  He  possessed  the  confidence  of  the  officers  and  directors  in  a high  degree,  and 
in  all  business  matters  intrusted  to  him,  good  judgment  and  unswer\  ing  fidelity  marked 
their  consummation.  His  ability  as  an  underwriter  was  always  recognized  by  his 
associates  in  the  profession,  but  to  none  was  this  fact  better  known  than  to  those  with 
whom  daily  intercourse  was  the  rule. 

Broadminded  and  possessed  of  good  common  sense,  he  was  always  patient  to 
hear  and  considerate  to  act  in  all  the  many  and  intricate  business  i^roblems  submitted 
for  his  consideration  and  judgment.  His  devotion  to  the  interests  of  the  Hartford 
remains  an  inheritance  and  examjde  for  his  brother  (dficers  to  emulate.  Tlie  high  esteem 
in  which  Mr.  Bissell  was  held  by  his  associate  underwriters  was  greatly  in  evidence  at 
the  memorial  meeting  held  soon  after  his  death.  Several  took  the  oj^portunity  to  speak 


110 


T M E U N D E R W R I T E R. 


of  the  life  and  career  of  Mr.  Bissell.  Colonel  R.  J.  Smith  characterized  him  as  a 
leading  spirit  in  whatever  he  undertook.  He  referred  to  Mr.  Bissell’s  pure  life,  honesty 
of  purpose  and  ability.  Abram  Williams  said  the  deceased  was  a model  as  a man, 
citizen,  underwriter  and  worker,  and  spoke  of  his  connection  in  every  good  work. 
Eugene  Cary  said:  “He  belonged  to  our  ranks,  but  he  was  above  us.  A larger  gulf 
is  left  because  he  has  passed  away.  He  was  a man  of  strong  mentality  and  resolute 
purpose.”  S.  M.  Moore  spoke  of  the  departed  as  a rounded-out  citizen  and  business 
man;  a true,  genial  gentleman;  a pioneer  of  Chicago  underwriters;  a strong  man  and  a 
leader.  Others  told  of  his  striking  characteristics.  He  was  a devoted  husband,  a kind 
father  and  a loyal  friend. 

PORTER  P.  HEYWOOD 

LATE  GENERAL  AGENT  WESTERN  DEPARTMENT  HARTEORD  EIRE  INSURANCE  COMPANY. 

The  life  of  the  man  whose  honored  memory  claims  this  tribute  presents  an  example 
of  usefulness  and  worthiness  the  contemplation  of  which  serves  as  an  inspiration  to  those 
who  seek  to  deserve  respect  and  love  while  living  and  veneration  after  death.  His  life's 
work  is  hnished,  its  fruits  garnered  and  the  record  of  its  incidents  remains  to  tell  the 
story  of  worthy  success  in  living.  He  died  at  his  home  in  Chicago,  April  28,  1896, 

after  a brief  illness  of  only  five  days. 

Eor  years  Mr.  Heywoed  had  been  connected  with  the  Hartlord  Fire  Insurance 
Company,  being  first  made  adjuster  of  the  Western  Department  in  January,  1866.  Two 
years  later  he  became  associated  with  Charles  H.  Case  in  the  supervision  of  the  affairs 
of  the  Insurance  Company  of  North  America,  and  in  November,  1869,  was  appointed 
General  Agent  of  the  Pacific  Coast  DepartmeJit  of  the  Hartford,  locating  at  San  Fran- 
cisco. In  1872  Mr.  Hey  wood  was  transferred  by  the  company  from  that  field  to  Chicago 
as  Assistant  General  Agent  of  the  Western  Department  under  General  Agent  George 
E.  Bissell.  Upon  the  death  of  Mr.  Bissell  in  June,  1895,  Hey  wood  succeeded  to 

the  general  agency  and  continued  in  that  position  until  his  death. 

Mr.  Heywood  was  a native  of  Westminster,  Massachusetts,  and  was  sixty-seven 
years  old  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  came  of  good  New  England  ancestry.  In  the 
puldic  schools  of  his  native  town  he  received  his  education  and  in  that  village  remained 
until  1855,  wdien  he  came  West  and  for  several  years  was  engaged  in  the  vocation  of  a 
teacher,  being  Principal  of  the  public  schools  of  Aurora,  Illinois.  In  1864  he  came  to 
Chicago  and  was  engaged  in  the  local  fire  insurance  business  in  the  office  of  Moore  & 
Stearns.  Afterward,  as  above  mentioned,  he  became  connected  with  the  Hartford. 

Ph'om  this  time  onward  Mr.  Heywood  was  an  important  factor  in  the  insurance 
business  of  the  Northwest  and  was  a man  of  recognized  ability.  His  long  connection 
with  the  business  of  the  Western  Department  of  the  Hartford  extended  over  a period 
of  thirty  years,  and  during  that  time  his  uniform  kindness  and  courtesy  in  all  his 
business  and  social  relations  endeared  him  to  all.  He  was  prominent  in  all  matters 
relating  to  insurance,  and  gave  freely  of  his  time  and  abilities  in  jiromoting  the  best 
methods  of  underwriting  in  the  West.  All  may  profit  by  the  example  of  his  noble  life 
and  by  his  devotion  to  the  great  interest  which  he  represented  with  a loyalty  that  knew 
no  limit. 

llis  activity  and  inlluence  were  not  alone  confined  to  underwriting,  but  were  present 
in  other  fields.  He  was  a member  of  the  Ibiity  Church,  Chicago  Eiterary  Society,  the 


112 


T H E U N i:»  E R W I T E R. 


Art  Institute,  Massachusetts  Society,  Illinois  Society  of  the  Sons  of  the  American  Revo- 
lution, and  of  the  Mar(|uette  and  Union  League  Clubs,  of  which  last  he  was  recently 
\hce-President.  He  left  a wife  and  two  sons — John  P.  Heywood,  who  is  engaged  in 
the  lumber  business  in  Chicago,  and  Henry  B.  Heywood,  Special  Agent  for  the  Hartford 
for  the  State  of  Indiana.  Mr.  Heywood  was  an  upright  Christian  citizen,  a gentleman 
of  jHiblic  spirit  and  a wise  business  man. 

At  a largely  attended  meeting  of  the  Chicago  Underwriters’  Association,  soon 
after  his  death,  feeling  tril)ute  to  the  worth  and  memory  of  the  deceased  was  paid  in 
l)rief  remarks  l)y  Charles  H.  Case,  Thomas  S.  Chard,  E.  B.  Case,  R.  S.  Critchell, 
Ifugene  Cary,  R.  W.  Hosmer,  R.  j.  Smith,  John  J.  Janes,  L.  II.  Da\is,  Thomas  P2. 
h'ry  and  President  Teall.  A telegram  of  sympathy  from  R.  M.  Bissell,  absent  from 
the  city,  and  an  appreciative  communication  from  J.  W.  G.  Cofran,  Assistant  General 
Attent  of  the  Hartford,  were  also  read.  A committee,  consistiim  of  C.  II.  Case,  Irugene 
Cary,  John  J.  Janes,  R.  J.  Smith  and  Thomas  IC  Fry,  reported  the  following  memorial, 
which  was  adopted  by  a rising  vote; 

“Again  we  are  called  together  because  another  honored  fellow-laborer  has  departed 
this  life  to  enter  a higher  one  above.  The  command  came  to  our  brother  ‘Rest  from 
thy  labors.  Come  up  higher  and  behold  what  mortal  man  hath  not  seen  or  human 
hearts  have  not  conceived.’  Our  hearts  are  sad.  We  all  feel  that  we  have  lost  a true 
and  noble  friend.  Many  of  us  already  have  more  friends  on  the  other  than  on  this 
side.  Another  fadeless  picture  of  a noble  life  hangs  upon  our  memories’  walls,  to  urge 
us  onward  to  better  things  here  and  remind  us  that  our  picture  will  be  in  the  same 
gallery  soon. 

“'Fhe  influence  of  such  a true,  large-hearted  man  cannot  be  easily  t)verestimated. 
He  never  seemed  to  lose  the  freshness  and  sincerity  of  a child’s  heart.  Simple,  unassuming, 
and  yet  with  strong  convictions  as  to  duty  and  faithfulness  to  every  trust  placed  upon  him, 
he  never  lost  sight  of  the  importance  of  right  decisions  and  correct  action  on  all  subjects 
involving  the  welfare  of  humanity.  He  was  ciuick  and  happy  to  respond  to  charity,  ready 
for  duty,  no  matter  what  personal  sacrifice  this  might  mean  to  him.  He  was  sunshine  to 
the  desjwnding:  hopeful,  confiding,  sympathetic  and  wise  toward  the  young  men,  coun- 
seling, restraining  and  leading  them  on  to  nobler  lives.  His  cherished  feelings  were 
kindness,  love  and  forebearance  to  the  erring. 

“He  thus  enriched  his  own  character  by  a noble  generosity  to  his  fellow  men.  He 
passes  onward  and  upward,  while  we  tarry  a little  longer,  and  while  we  tarry  we  strive 
to  imitate  his  generous,  considerate  habit  of  thought  and  action,  and  approximate  to  such 
true  and  noble  living  as  was  so  manifest  in  his  life.” 

JOHN  WILLIAM  GUNNISON  COFRAN 

ASSOCIATE  GENERAL  AGENT  OF  ITIE  WESTERN  DEPARTMENT  OF  I'lIE  nARTF(.)RI)  FIRE  INSURANCE 

COMPANY. 

^h)uth  is  not  a bar  to  promotion,  for  the  American  people  have  learned  that  ability 
is  not  measured  by  the  length  of  time  a man  has  spent  upon  earth.  Some  men  might 
live  a thousand  years  and  never  know  anything,  and  others  are  bright  and  aide  to  take 
their  places  among  men  long  before  they  arrive  at  mature  manhood.  John  Mb  G. 
Cofran.  Associate  General  Agent  of  the  Ilartlord  h'irc  Insurance  Company,  is  of  the 


r 1 1 K UNI)  E W R r T E R. 


1 14 

latter  class.  For  many  years  now  he  has  been  interested  in  insurance,  and  his  knowledge 
of  this,  close  attention  to  details  and  energetic  methods  are  securing  for  the  comj^ianv 
marked  expansion  of  business  in  the  Western  Department,  of  which  he  has  charge. 

Mr.  Cofran  is  a product  of  New  Hampshire,  born  at  (foshen,  June  13,  1855,  but 
now  resides  in  Chicago,  Illinois.  He  is  the  son  of  Ste]')hen  Benjamin  Cofran  and  Alma 
Jane  Cofran.  His  ancestors  came  to  America  as  early  as  the  year  1623  and  soon  after 
settled  in  New  Hampshire.  Like  many  another  successful  man  i\Ir.  Cofran  hails  from 
the  farm,  where  between  the  rows  of  young  corn  he  learned  habits  of  industry  and 
jierseverance  which  have  remained  with  him  through  life.  He  received  the  rudiments 
of  an  education  in  the  district  school  and  later  took  a thorough  course  in  Kimball’s 
Union  iVcademy,  at  Meriden,  New  Hampshire. 

Believing  that  there  was  more  in  store  for  him  than  a life  on  the  farm  promised, 
or  at  any  rate  that  he  could  find  employment  more  congenial,  young  Cofran  made  his 
way  to  the  Bacihc  Coast  and  landed  in  San  Francisco  with  fifteen  dollars  in  his  pocket. 
He  first  commenced  as  office  boy  with  the  Commercial  Insurance  Company  of  California, 
October  16,  1874,  and  occupied  various  positions  in  both  the  fire  and  marine  department 
until  Sejitember,  1879,  when  he  was  appointed  Special  Agent  and  Adjuster  by  the 
Commercial,  for  Oregon,  Washington  and  Idaho,  with  headquarters  at  Portland,  Oregon. 

In  July,  1881,  Mr.  Cofran  was  appointed  Special  Agent  and  Adjuster  for  the 
Hartford,  for  the  same  territory,  and  represented  both  companies  from  that  time  until 
May  I,  1886,  when  he  was  a}ipointed  as  Associate  Manager  with  Mr.  Henry  K.  Belden, 
for  the  Pacific  Department  of  the  Hartford.  He  then  closed  the  Northwest  Department 
and  removed  to  San  Francisco,  charging  all  the  local  agents  to  report  there  instead  of 
Portland  as  previously.  In  the  month  of  August,  1895,  he  removed  to  Chicago,  being 
appointed  Assistant  General  Agent  of  Western  Department.  On  the  ist  of  June.  1896, 
he  was  appointed  Associate  General  Agent  with  Mr.  K.  M.  P>issell  for  the  Western 
Department. 

In  the  year  1882  Mr.  Cofran  joined  the  Masonic  fraternity,  but  he  is  a member  of  no 
other  secret  organization.  He  is  lil)eral  in  his  religious  views.  In  politics  he  is  an 
ardent  Republican  and  always  expects  to  adhere  to  that  party.  He  has  been  twice 
married,  first  to  Miss  Catherine  Gunnison,  June,  1879,  and  after  remaining  a widt)wer 
five  years  was  wedded  to  Aliss  Mary  C.  Conroy  in  july,  1889. 

Now,  while  still  a comparatively  young  man,  Mr.  Cofran  is  holding  one  of  the 
first  j)ositions  in  fire  insurance — though  but  few  men  are  called  to  the  revolving  chair 
until  well  into  middle  life.  He  is  an  underwriter  and  an  executive,  practical,  thorough, 
strong  in  the  uptake.  While  in  San  Francisco  he  served  as  \’ice-Ih'esident  and  Chair- 
man of  the  bixecutive  Committee  of  the  Fire  Underwriters  of  the  Pacihc.  He  was  also 
a member  of  the  Pacific  Union,  Olymjuc  and  the  Merchants’  Clulcs,  of  the  Chamber  of 
Commerce  and  Merchants’  bixchange,  and  is  a member  of  the  l^nion  League  Club  oi 
Chicago. 

RICHARD  M.  BISSFLL 

ASSOCIA'l'K  GKNKRAl,  ACU-.N'l'  OF  'l  lIK  WFSTFRX  I )F1“A R'lM  KX'l'  OF  I'llK  HAR'I'FORI)  FIRK 

FXSFRAXCF  C(  IMI'AX  V. 

The  )’ounger  Pitt,  had  his  lot  been  cast  in  the  United  States  in  this  day  and 
generation,  would  not  have  found  it  necessary  to  defend  himself  against  the  "atrocious 


THE  UNDER  W R I T E R. 


IK) 

crime  of  being  a young  man,”  as  charged  against  him  because  of  his  precocious  mental 
development.  In  this  Republic  there  is  no  prejudice  against  a man  merely  because  he 
chanced  to  develop  in  advance  of  the  conventional  idea  as  to  time  of  maturity,  but  on 
the  contrary  it  is  more  likely  that  the  fact  will  be  used  as  a cause  of  rewarding  his 
ability  by  promoting  him  to  places  of  trust  and  honor.  Richard  M.  Bissell,  Associate 
General  Agent  of  the  Western  Department  of  the  Hartford  Fire  Insurance  Company, 
with  head(}uarters  at  Chicago,  is  a son  of  the  late  George  F.  Bissell,  and  was  born  in 
Chicago  in  1862.  Graduating  from  Yale  College,  he  entered  the  local  fire  insurance 
agency  of  Moore  & Janes,  of  Chicago,  and  subseciuently  took  subordinate  position  in 
the  Western  Department  of  the  Hartford  Fire.  Later  he  became  a Special  Agent,  to 
gain  a knowledge  of  the  field.  Returning  to  the  department  offices,  he  was  placed  in 
charge  of  the  special  hazard  and  large  city  business.  August,  1895,  President  Chase 
appointed  him  to  the  position  of  Second  Assistant  General  Agent,  and  June  i,  1896,  he 
was  appointed  Associate  General  Agent  with  Mr.  J.  W.  G.  Cofran  for  the  Western 
Department.  Mr.  Bissell,  like  his  illustrious  father,  is  retiring  and  meditative,  saying 
less  than  he  thinks.  He  is  also  like  him  in  the  thoroughness  of  his  labors  and  in  his 
grasp  of  affairs.  All  are  agreed  that  he  has  a future  which  he  himself  has  earned  and 
is  earning.  He  is  a memlier  of  the  University,  Literary  and  Onwentsia  Clubs. 


HENRY  KENEY  BELDEN 

GKNKUAL  AGENT  OF  THE  I’ACIKIC  COAST  DEI’AR'l'M ENT  OF  THE  IIARTEORD  EIRE  INSURANCE 

COMl’ANV. 

It  is  a ]deasure  and  privilege  to  record  the  character  and  enterprise  of  men  of 
business,  who,  on  account  of  their  long  tenure  and  extensive  operations  comprise  almost 
a history  of  the  business  in  which  they  are  engaged.  Of  such  men  it  is  unnecessary 
to  speak  in  words  of  colored  praise.  “By  their  acts  ye  shall  know  them.”  Their  very 
existence  is  emphatic  evidence  of  the  honorable  position  they  occupy  and  the  long 
course  of  just  dealing  that  they  have  pursued.  Henry  K.  Belden,  Pacific  Coast 
Manager  for  the  Hartford  Fire  Insurance  Company,  is  familiar  with  all  branches  of  fire 
insurance,  and  is  thus  well  e(|uipped  for  his  work.  He  entered  the  local  agenc}'  office 
of  the  Hartford  in  Milwaukee  in  1864,  and  has  since  been  in  the  service  of  that 
company. 

i\Ir.  Belden  is  a native  of  New  York  City,  born  in  1849,  but  his  youthful  days 
were  passed  in  the  city  of  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  where  he  received  a good,  practical 
education.  P'or  two  years  he  was  in  the  local  agency  office  of  the  Hartford,  but  in  1866 
he  went  into  the  Western  Department  office  in  Chicago,  where  he  remained  three  years. 
In  1869  he  became  head  clerk  in  the  San  Fiancisco  office  and  in  1878  Local  Agent  in 
that  city.  In  1880  he  became  Special  Agent  and  Adjuster,  and  in  1886  was  appointed, 
with  Mr.  Cofran,  Manager  of  the  Ikicific  Coast  Department. 

In  i8()5,  Mr.  Cofran  being  transferred  to  Chicago  as  Assistant  General  Agent  of 
the  Western  Department,  Mr.  Belden  became  the  sole  Manager  of  the  Pacific  Coast 
Department  of  the  Company,  with  Whitney  Palache  as  Assistant  Manager.  i\Ir.  Belden 
is  now  a resident  of  Oakland,  California,  and  is  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of 
the  I'irst  Presbyterian  Societ}'  of  that  city.  He  is  a man  of  fine  business  sense  and 
judgment,  and  has  thorough  accpiaintance  with  the  great  interests  of  insurance  which 
enters  so  closely  into  the  life  of  all  business. 


WHITNEY  PALACHE 


ASSISTANT  (iKNKRAI,  ACKNT  OK  Tilt:  PACIFIC  COAST  DEPARTMENT  OK  THE  HARTFORD  FIRE 

INSURANCE  COMPANY. 

Whitney  Palache  was  liorn  in  San  Erancisco  in  iS66.  In  1882  he  entered  the 
University  ol  California,  intending  to  (]ualify  himself  for  the  profession  of  the  law,  but 
after  two  years  of  creditalile  work  he  v/as  compelled  by  ill  health,  at  the  end  of  his 
sophomore  year,  to  abandon  his  studies,  and,  looking  aliout  for  a business  career,  he 
was  attracted  by  insurance,  which  seemed  to  offer  congenial  occupation.  lie  soon  after 
secured  a subordinate  position  in  the  office  of  the  Union  Insurance  Company  of  California 
(since  absorbed  by  the  Alliance),  and  rapidly  rose  to  the  position  of  Special  Agent,  a 
}X)st  he  acceptably  occupied  from  1888  to  1890,  when  he  severed  his  connection  with 
the  pinion,  and  took  a similar  position  with  the  Hartford,  his  territory  being  the 
Northwestern  States  of  the  Ikicihc  Department  of  that  company,  with  headcjuarters  at 
Portland,  Oregon.  That  his  services  were  appreciated  is  jiroven  by  the  fact  that  when, 
in  July,  1895,  Mr.  J.  W.  G.  Cofran,  Associate  Manager  with  Mr.  II.  K.  Belden  for 
the  Pacihc  De]iartment,  was  transferred  to  Chicago,  leaving  Mr.  H.  K.  Belden  Manager, 
Mr.  Palache  was  ap}iointed  that  gentleman’s  Assistant,  in  which  jxisition  he  continues 
acceptably  to  serve  his  company. 

Mr.  Palache’s  career  so  far  gives  evidence  that  he  made  no  mistake  in  his  selection 
of  a vocation,  and  the  brilliant  use  he  has  made  of  his  opportunities  gives  promise  of 
a bright  future. 

In  1892  Mr.  Palache  married  a daughter  of  Hon.  John  Garlier,  and  resides  with 
his  wife  and  children  in  a charmingly  located  home  on  Claremont  Avenue,  in  Berkele}’. 

GEOEGh:  S.  A.  DOPING. 

By  a most  thorough  knowledge  of  his  business,  gained  step  I)y  stejr,  George  S.  A. 
Young,  of  the  hrm  of  Young  A Hodges,  Managers  of  the  Aletrojiolitan  Department  of 
Hartford  P'ire  Insurance  Comjiany,  at  50  Wall  Street,  New  York,  has  built  uji  an 
excellent  reputation  in  insurance  circles.  It  would  be  hard  to  hnd  a man  better  posted 
on  this  suliject  than  Mr.  '^Mung,  who  has  been  connected  with  the  above  company  for 
many  years  and  who  has  won  the  regard  of  all  by  his  thorough,  conscientious  work. 

Mr.  Young  is  a native  of  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  liorn  .April  5,  1851,  and  in 
that  city  received  his  scholastic  training.  At  the  early  age  of  fifteen  he  entered  the 
home  office  of  the  Hartford  P'ire  Insurance  Piompany,  first  as  office  boy,  and  served 
in  various  positions,  most  conscientiously,  for  a iieriod  of  twenty  years.  Possessed  of 
excellent  ability,  grafted  upon  a stock  of  sturdy  honesty,  he  also  possesses  a goodly 
degree  of  those  kindly  attributes  that  spring  from  a kindly  heart,  an  honest  jnirpose 
and  a broad  liberality. 

In  the  month  of  July,  i886,  Mr.  ^'oung  was  appointed  Special  Agent  for  the 
Hartford,  for  Piastern  New  ’N’ork,  with  headtpiarters  at  Albany.  "Phis  position  he  filled 
most  satisfactorily  until  Januar\’,  1889,  when  he  was  apjiointed  Assistant  iManager  of 
Metro|)olitan  Department,  and  November  i,  1891,  was  made  senior  member  of  the 
hrm  of  Young  & Hodges,  a jiosition  he  now  holds. 


HOME  INSURANCE  COMPANY  OE  NEW  YORK. 


Among  the  old  and  substantial  insurance  companies  of  the  PJnited  States  the 
“llome”  takes  a prominent  place.  This  company  was  organized  April  13,  1853,  under 
act  of  April  10,  1849,  the  original  capital  being  $500,000.  The  charter  authorized  hre 
and  inland  marine  insurance,  both  of  which  were  prosecuted  by  the  company  until 
1870,  when  the  latter  was  discontinued.  On  the  15th  of  July,  1858,  the  capital  was 
increased  to  $600,000,  under  act  of  June  25,  1853,  and  under  the  same  act  the  amount 
was  increased  to  $1,000,000,  Eebruary  19,  1859. 

The  capital  was  doubled  in  amount  December  31,  1863,  and  an  additional  increase 
of  half  a million  was  ordered  jul}'  13,  1870,  making  the  total  $2,500,000.  The  last 
increase  was  made  January  23.  1875,  amount  being  $500,000,  and  since  that  date 
the  capital  has  remained  at  $3,000,000.  Of  the  total  increase  $1,000,000  was  realized 
from  stock  dividends.  The  first  President  of  the  company  was  Simeon  L.  Loomis,  and 
the  original  Secretary  was  Charles  J.  Martin.  During  the  year  1854  Roe  Lockwood 
was  temporary  President,  but  was  succeeded  in  1855  by  Charles  J.  Martin,  who 
retained  the  office  until  Eebruary  14,  1888.  His  death  occurred  May  9th,  following 
his  resignation. 

April  2,  1888,  Daniel  A.  Heald  became  President  of  the  company.  The  Secretaries 
of  this  company  from  1855  to  1888  were  A.  E.  Willmarth,  J.  Milton  Smith,  John  McGee 
and  John  H.  Washburn,  the  latter  filling  that  position  for  twenty-one  years,  including 
two  years  as  Vice-President  and  Secretary,  relinquishing  the  latter  title  in  1888,  when 
he  became  Vice-President,  which  position  he  still  retains;  in  the  same  year  Elbridge 
G.  Snow,  Jr.,  was  made  Vice-President,  W.  L.  Bigelow  and  T.  B.  Greene,  Secretaries, 
and  H.  J.  Eerris  and  A.  M.  Burtis,  Assistant  Secretaries.  This  company  has  assumed 
colossal  business  proportions  and  has  agencies  in  every  city,  large  and  small,  in  the 
country.  Erom  the  first  it  has  had  the  benefit  of  the  best  underwriting  talent  to  be 
found,  a marked  feature  in  the  management  of  this  company  being  the  long  years  of 
service  given  it  by  each  of  its  principal  officers,  a condition  contributing  largely  to  the 
phenomenally  steady  growth  and  progress  of  the  organization,  the  results  achieved 
evincing  capacity  of  high  order  in  the  selection  and  instruction  of  trustworthy  field  and 
agency  representatives,  as  well  as  in  the  careful  “selection  and  inspection”  of  its 
large  business. 

The  premiums  received  since  organization  aggregate  $111,056,294;  losses  paid, 
$66,885,843;  cash  dividends,  $9,715,000;  stock  dividends,  $1,000,000. 

DANIEL  ADDISON  HEALD 

PRESIDENT  IIO.ME  INSURANCE  COMPANY  OF  NEW  YORK. 

Cordial  in  manner,  apt  in  expression  and  full  of  the  knowledge  gathered  in  many 
years  of  intelligent  observation,  one  seldom  meets  a more  interesting  man  than  Daniel 
Addison  Heald,  President  of  the  Home  Insurance  Company  and  a leading  fire  under- 
writer of  the  United  States.  He  is  a native  of  the  Green  Mountain  State,  born  in  the 
town  of  Chester  May  4,  1818,  and  is  descended  from  old  Puritan  stock,  of  PEiglish 
origin.  The  progenitor  of  the  Heald  family  in  America  came  here  in  the  year  1635 
from  Berwick,  Phigland,  and  was  among  the  first  settlers  in  Concord,  Massachusetts. 

Ambitious  to  obtain  a thorough  education.  Daniel  A.  I leak!  lost  no  opportunity  to 


120 


1 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


improve  his  mind  during  his  youthful  days.  lie  applied  himself  faithfully  to  his  books 
and  with  excellent  results  as  his  subsecjuent  history  proves.  lie  hrst  attended  the 
schools  of  his  native  town  and  later  the  preparatory  school  at  Meriden,  New  Hampshire, 
where  he  remained  two  years.  From  this  institution  he  entered  Yale  College  and  was 
graduated  with  honors  in  1841,  w'hen  twenty-three  years  old.  During  his  senior  year  at 
\'ale,  he  read  law  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  \Yrmont  in  May,  1843. 

While  jHirsuing  his  legal  practice  he  also  conducted  an  insurance  business  in  which 
he  met  with  such  decided  success  and  won  such  an  excellent  reputation  that,  in  1856, 
the  Home  Insurance  Company  of  New  York  invited  him  to  become  its  General  Agent. 
I'his  olfer  he  accepted  and  entered  actively  on  his  work  in  New  York  City,  where  he 
soon  demonstrated  the  fact  that  he  thoroughly  understood  insurance  matters  and  that 
he  had  the  company’s  interests  at  heart.  For  twelve  years  he  served  the  Home  as 
General  Agent  and  was  then,  in  1868,  chosen  Second  \’ice-President,  a position  he 
filled  until  1883,  when  he  was  made  First  ^'ice-lh■esident.  On  the  2d  of  April,  1888, 
he  succeeded  Mr.  Martin  as  President. 

At  an  early  period  of  his  career  in  the  insurance  field  he  realized  that  the  suc- 
cessful conduct  of  hre  insurance  business  depended  upon  its  mastery  as  a science,  well 
knowing  that  no  one  can  know  it  too  much  to  conduct  it  successfully.  Mr.  Heald  is 
not  only  a lawyer,  but  chemist,  architect,  hnancier  and  an  excellent  judge  of  men,  and 
of  values  of  all  things  insurable.  He  has  investigated  with  great  care  the  causes  of  fire 
and  the  means  and  appliances  for  prevention  and  extinction. 

Possessed  of  more  than  ordinary  executive  ability,  keen  perceptions  and  a superior 
mind,  it  is  seldom  that  a more  able  or  efficient  man  is  jdaced  at  the  head  of  a great 
company.  Mr.  Heald  lias  conducted  the  business  of  the  Home  Insurance  Company  so 
as  to  take  care  of  the  policy-holders  as  well  as  the  stockholders  'and  obtain  fair  rates 
in  face  of  all  competition.  x\fter  the  great  Portland  hre  of  1867,  he  was  one  of  the  prime 
movers  in  the  organization  of  the  National  Board  of  Fire  Underwriters,  of  which  im- 
jiortant  organization  he  had  served  either  as  chairman  of  the  executive  committee  or 
president,  holding  the  latter  office  from  1881  to  1890  inclusive.  He  was  also  President 
of  the  New  York  Board  of  Underwriters  in  1876  and  1877. 

Honored  and  respected  by  all  who  know  him,  active  and  alert,  dispatching  business 
easily  and  rapidly,  no  name  has  become  more  deeply  impressed  on  the  history  of  hre 
insurance  in  America  than  his.  Born  in  1818,  he  has  passed  the  limit  of  threescore  years 
and  ten.  Threescore  years  and  ten!  But  what  }'ears  they  ha\'e  been.  The  last  half 
century  is  the  best  half  century  of  the  world’s  history.  Now  that  this  glorious  nineteenth 
century  is  growing  old,  Mr.  Heald  may  fairly  claim  that  he  has  had  at  least  some  share 
in  its  growth  and  development. 


JOHN  HFNKY  \YASHBURN 

X'ICE-l’RESTDKNT  OE  HOME  IXSUR.WCE  COMP.VXV  OE  XEW  VORK, 

A man  who  by  strength  of  character  and  mental  powers  rises  to  eminence  in  the 
enterprises  in  which  he  engages  is  a monument  to  the  ca}iabilities  of  his  race.  Such  a 
man  is  John  II.  W ashburn,  who  fen'  the  last  fortv  vears  or  more  has  been  continuously 
engaged  in  the  business  of  fire  underwriting  and  is  now  \hce-President  of  the  Home 
Insurance  Company  of  New  York.  Commencing  at  the  lowest  round  of  the  fire  insur- 


t 


124 


THE  UN  D E R WRITE  R. 


ance  ladder,  he  has  successfully  worked  his  way  upward  through  all  of  its  gradations, 
to  his  present  enviable  position,  which  he  hlls  so  capably. 

Mr.  Washburn  is  a native  of  Amherst,  Massachusetts,  born  October  27,  1828, 
and  the  son  of  Rev.  Royal  Washburn  and  Harriet  W.  (Parsons)  Washburn.  The 
Washburns  trace  their  ancestry  in  America  back  t''  John  Washbourne,  who  was  first 
Secretary  of  the  “Governor  and  Company  of  Massachusetts  Bay.”  This  family  is 
also  descended  from  Francis  Cooke  of  the  Ma)'fiower.  Young  Washburn's  education 
was  received  in  Amherst  Academy,  Williston  Seminary  and  Amherst  College,  and  for 
some  time  after  leaving  the  latter  institution  he  studied  law  at  Rutland,  Vermont,  and 
Granville,  New  York. 

In  the  year  1851  he  became  a clerk  in  the  office  of  the  Washington  County  iMutual 
Fire  Insurance  Company,  of  Granville,  New  York,  where  he  took  his  first  lessons  in  the 
rudiments  of  the  business.  After  this,  at  different  times,  he  was  in  a fire  and  life  in- 
surance agency  at  Meriden,  Connecticut,  and  was  Secretary  of  Bridgeport  Fire  and  Marine 
Insurance  Company.  Even  from  the  first  his  ideas  of  the  business  were  so  in  advance 
of  the  times  as  to  demonstrate  the  breadth  of  his  grasp  of  the  needs  of  his  adopted 
profession,  as  well  as  his  legal  acumen,  and  stamped  him  as  a born  underwriter. 

Close  application  to  business  soon  undermined  a never  very  robust  constitution  and 
he  was  obliged  to  resign  and  go  South  in  search  of  health.  Fully  restored  to  health  in 
eighteen  months  he  returned  and  in  1859  I^ecame  connected  with  the  “Home”  as  its 
agency  clerk  and  correspondent,  where  his  abilities  as  an  underwriter  had  full  scope, 
carrying  him  on  very  rapidly  in  the  esteem  and  confidence  of  his  employers  and  placing 
him  in  the  position  of  Assistant  Secretary  in  1865.  In  1867  he  was  made  Secretary, 
and  in  this  capacity  displayed  such  marked  skill  and  ability  as  to  entitle  him  to  the 
vice-presidency  in  1 888. 

Mr.  Washburn  has  many  and  strong  friends  among  the  members  of  the  insurance 
fraternity,  by  whom  he  is  justly  held  in  high  esteem  as  one  of  the  most  capable 
and  progressive  underwriters  of  the  times.  He  is  a prominent  member  of  the  New  Yt)ik 
Board  of  Fire  Underwriters,  of  which  he  has  been  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Sur- 
veys and  on  Water  Supply,  and  President  of  the  Board,  in  which  positions  his  broad 
experience  and  matured  judgment  have  been  of  incalculal)le  value  toward  the  success  of 
the  organization.  Although  naturally  of  a retiring  disposition  'Sir.  Washburn  is  pos- 
sessed of  very  quick  perceptions,  is  ready  of  resource  in  time  of  emergency,  and  is  a 
rapid,  cogent  reasoner.  No  one  who  has  had  occasion  to  meet  him  in  business  transac- 
tions has  ever  had  cause  to  complain  of  a lack  of  courteous  consideration. 

Mr.  Washburn  is  a member  of  the  Sons  of  the  Revolution,  Society  of  Colonial 
Wars,  Society  of  Mayflower  Descendants,  Order  of  Founders  and  Patriots  of  America, 
and  a Freemason.  For  years  he  has  been  a member  of  the  Congregational  Church, 
and  is  a corporate  member  of  the  American  Board  tor  Foreign  ^Missions,  member  of 
Board  of  Managers  American  Bible  Society,  and  is  President  of  the  Congregational  Club 
of  New  York  City  and  vicinity.  In  the  year  1853  he  married  Miss  Jane  Ives  of  New 
Haven,  Connecticut,  a descendant  of  William  Ives,  one  of  the  founders  of  the  colonv. 
They  have  one  son,  William  Ives  Washburn,  a lawyer  of  New  York. 


ELP>KIl)CxE  C;ERKY  SNOW 


VICE-l’RESIDKNT  OF  THE  HOME  INSURANCE  COMI’ANV  OF  NEW  YORK. 

With  a galaxy  of  able  and  efficient  lire  underwriters  in  charge  of  the  various 
dejiartments,  it  is  no  longer  an  enigma  how  the  Home  Insurance  Company,  of  New 
York,  has  attained  and  continues  to  retain  its  present  high  standing,  hnancially  and 
otherwise,  among  the  fire  insurance  offices  of  the  country,  both  foreign  and  domestic. 
Prominent  among  these  is  Elbridge  Gerry  Snow,  who  is  now  occupying  the  hom)rable 
and  responsible  chair  of  the  Vice-President  of  the  Home,  a station  he  has  attained 
while  yet  in  the  prime  of  life  and  for  which  his  great  experience  eminently  fits  him. 

Mr.  Snow  owes  his  nativity  to  the  State  of  Connecticut,  his  birth  having  occurred 
in  Ifarkhamsted,  January  22,  1841,  and  when  but  an  infant  he  accompanied  his  parents, 
Eldridge  Gerry  Snow,  Sr.,  and  Eunice  Woodruff  Snow,  to  Waterbury,  Connecticut, 
where  the  father  found  a successful  field  for  the  practice  of  medicine.  Young  Snow 
finished  his  education  at  Fort  Edward  Institute,  Fort  Edward,  New  York,  and  after 
his  return  to  Waterbury  began  the  study  of  law,  which,  however,  he  relinquished  to 
enter  as  clerk  the  busy  agency  office  of  John  W.  Smith,  who  has  represented  many  of 
the  larger  insurance  companies,  domestic  and  foreign. 

Desiring  a more  extended  field  of  operation  Mr.  Snow  left  there  about  1862  and 
made  his  way  to  New  York  City,  where  he  entered  the  office  of  the  Home,  which  was 
then  one  of  the  principal  companies  of  the  Smith  agency.  Until  1871  he  remained 
with  the  Home,  after  which  he  became  interested  in  an  agency  firm  in  the  city  for  a 
couple  of  years,  but  again  returned  to  the  Home  office,  and  soon  after  was  made  State 
Agent  for  Massachusetts,  with  heachjuarters  in  Boston.  There  he  organized  the  firm 
of  Hollis  & Snow,  whose  able  management  largely  increased  the  companies  business. 

During  his  incumbency  as  State  Agent.  Mr.  Snow’s  capacity  for  management  and 
his  success  in  building  up  a large  and  profitalile  business  in  a field  so  well  garnered  as 
Massachusetts  claimed  the  attention  of  the  company,  and  as  a result  he  was  called 
from  the  field  and  made  Assistant  Secretary.  In  1888,  upon  the  promotion  of  Mr. 
Washburn  to  the  vice-presidency,  Mr.  Snow  was  also  advanced  to  the  position  of 
\dce-President  and  Director  of  the  company,  the  arduous  duties  of  which  he  has 
discharged  with  marked  ability. 

Mr.  Snow  is  a man  of  robust  and  fine  physique,  and  is  of  a genial,  hearty 
disposition.  He  is  intellectual,  companionable,  a true  friend,  an  excellent  citizen,  and 
withal  a skilled  underwriter.  The  Home  Insurance  Company,  with  which  he  has  been 
so  long  and  intimately  connected  officially,  is  one  of  the  largest  of  the  American  fire 
insurance  offices,  and  is  a successful  contestant  with  the  foreign  branch  offices  for  the 
fire  business  of  the  country. 

Although  deeply  interested  in  the  affairs  of  the  company,  Mr.  Snow  does  not  lose 
sight  of  his  duties  as  a loyal  citizen,  and  gives  his  sujiport  and  encouragement  to  all 
desirable  enterjnises.  In  the  year  1861  he  became  a member  of  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  b'cllows,  and  he  is  also  a member  of  the  Wteran  Firemen’s  Society  of  New 
^'ork,  New  ^Trk  Geological  Society,  New  Ivngiand  Society,  iMetropolitan  Museum  of 
Art,  New  'N’ork,  and  American  Museum  of  Natural  History,  New  York.  His  travels 
have  been  limited  to  this  country.  From  \outh  in')  he  has  been  in  full  accord  with  the 
Protestant  hfpiscopal  Church.  In  }X)litics  he  has  been  a Ivepublican  for  years,  and 
takes  a deej<  interest  in  the  welfare  of  his  jiarty.  Mr.  .Snow’s  hajqyv  domestic  life 
began  September  s,  1865,  when  he  wedded  Miss  b' ranees  Janet  Thompson.  This  union 
has  been  blessed  by  the  birth  of  one  child,  a son.  Elbridge  Gerr}*  Snow,  Jr. 

12(i 


II.  II.  WALKER 

iMANACiKR  WKSTERN  FARM  DEPARTMENT  OE  THE  HOME  IN.SURANCE  COMPANY  OE  NEW  YORK. 

Quoting  his  own  M’ords,  we  will  say  that  in  Mr.  Walker's  life  there  has  been  but 
little,  if  any,  of  what  might  be  called  the  fortuitous.  Changes  came,  it  is  true,  but 
the  new  duties  were  performed  and  new  priYileges  enjoyed,  in  measure  according  to 
ability  and  the  training  he  had  previously  received.  Me  was  born  in  a log  cabin  on 
a farm  in  Rush  County,  Indiana,  in  1839,  of  good  parentage,  and  reared  in  a good, 
\vholesome  atmosphere,  where  disciplined  firmly  but  kindly,  his  career  was  started  well. 

The  early  years  of  his  life,  the  first  fifteen,  were  without  opportunities  for  mental 
culture  other  than  those  afiorded  by  a very  common  sort  of  common  country  school.  Access 
to  books  or  to  newspapers  and  periodicals  was  limited,  but  there  was  the  clear,  beautiful 
skv,  the  woodland  and  field,  and  the  thousand  and  one  charms  of  nature  so  conducive 
to  healthful  growth  of  bod}',  mind  and  soul.  Above  all  he  had  the  daily  example  of 
manly  and  womanly  industry  to  imitate,  for  all  lal)ored.  The  leisure  class  was  not  there. 

When  fifteen  years  old  Mr.  Walker  left  the  farm  and  entered  upon  service  in  a 
country  store  where  the  foundation  of  his  business  education  was  laid.  I'or  his  services 
the  first  year  he  received  forty-eight  dollars  and  board.  With  the  exception  of  one 
year  spent  in  railroading,  and  another  year  at  school,  where  he  pursued  a course  of 
instruction  in  commercial  law  and  the  science  of  accounts,  Mr.  Walker  was  engaged 
ten  years  in  merchandising.  This  training  was  a broad  one  and  he  had  to  do  with 
mercantile  transactions  of  a wide  range. 

When  twenty  years  old,  while  engaged  in  merchandising,  he  wrote  his  first 
insurance  policy,  for  the  ^Titna.  From  twenty  to  twenty-five  he  represented  as  local 
a"ent  in  addition  to  the  /Etna,  the  Phoenix  of  Hartford,  the  Hartford,  the  old  Man- 
hattan,  and  the  Security  of  New  York.  When  twenty-five  he  entered  the  employ  of 
the  Security  as  a Special  Agent,  in  Illinois,  and  continued  for  one  year,  when  he 
engaged  with  the  Home  of  New  York  as  an  adjuster,  traveling  out  from  New  York  City. 

January  1,  1867,  he  tocdv  charge  of  the  Home’s  State  Agency  in  Indiana,  and 
during  his  management  in  that  state  the  company's  premiums  advanced  from  540,000 
per  annum  to  over  $250,000.  July  i,  1887,  he  was  called  to  the  management  of  the 
company's  Western  Farm  Department,  at  Chicago,  to  which,  in  October,  ' 1 893,  the 
sub-ao'ency  mercantile  business  of  the  Western  States  was  added.  November  i,  1894, 
the  general  supervision  of  the  company’s  entire  business  in  the  State  of  Illinois,  including 
Chicago,  was  also  placed  in  his  hands. 

Thus  it  may  be  seen  that  Mr.  Walker  has  been  in  the  employ  of  the  Home 
thirty  years  and  is  a man  of  acknowledged  business  capacity,  rich  experience,  and  being 
in  the  very  prime  of  life  he  has,  with  reasonable  expectancy,  many  years  of  usefulness 
yet  before  him.  Wdiile  of  course  greatly  absorbed  with  his  business  profession,  Mr. 
Walker  has  found  time  to  give  a good  deal  of  attention  to  general  literature,  and  has 
been  in  close  touch  with  the  great  work  of  Christian  benevolence  and  Christian  education. 

Mr.  Walker  is  not  now  and  never  was  a partisan,  or  strict  party  man.  For  many 
years  he  has  voted  with  the  Republican  ixirty,  yet  is  indej)endent  and  free  to  vote  his 
sentiments,  regardless  of  party  lines.  ' He  was  reared  under  an  orthodox  theology  of 
the  strictest  kind,  yet  at  an  early  age  he  Idled  his  mind  with  \ie\vs  of  life,  here  and 
hereafter,  that  enabled  him  to  feel  comfortable  when  any  good  man  or  woman  went 
hence,  whether  of  church  roll  or  of  the  outside.  In  a word,  with  him,  “conduct  is  at 
least  three-fourths  of  life,”  regardless  of  creed.  As  a means  to  an  end  he  is  an  enrolled 
member  of  an  orthodox  church,  and  much  enjoys  all  lines  of  church  and  benevolent  work. 


12s 


CxKNKKAL  ARTHUR  CHARLES  DUCAT 


FORMKRLV  GENERAL  ACIEXT  AM)  ONE  OE  THE  WESTERN  DEPARTMENT  _\E\NAGERS  OE  HOME 

INSURANCE  COMPANY,  NEW  YORK. 

The  drama  of  a man’s  life — the  tragic,  the  comic  and  the  pathetic,  playing  their 
parts  in  the  shifting  scenes — is  not  only  a deep  and  wonderful  study,  but  it  is  by  this 
study  alone  that  we  can  become  well  informed  in  the  philosophy  of  life.  If  we  would 
understand  what  heroism  is,  we  must  study  the  lives  of  heroes.  In  this  respect,  as  in 
all  others,  we  hnd  no  one  more  worthy  of  mention  or  whose  life  of  usefulness  is  more 
worthy  to  be  chronicled  than  General  Arthur  C.  Ducat. 

At  the  outbreak  of  civil  war  he  was  almost  unknown;  but  stirring  times  bring 
strong  men  to  the  front.  Like  many  others  who  attained  prominence  during  that  stir- 
ring period,  his  lot  in  youth  gave  no  hint  of  the  honors  that  a strong  intellect,  fairly 
used,  coupled  with  unwearying  industry,  was  to  bring  him.  General  Ducat  w'as  born 
in  Dublin,  Ireland,  February  24,  1830,  being  the  youngest  son  of  iMungo  Moray  Ducat, 
of  Cupar  Angus,  Scotland,  and  Dorcas  Julia  Ducat.  Two  strains  of  Celtic  blood  were 
in  him — the  French  and  the  Irish — and  gave  to  his  nature  that  dash  and  impulsiveness 
which  characterized  his  career  both  as  citizen  and  soldier. 

When  nineteen  years  old  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States  alone,  his  purpose 
being  to  follow  the  profession  of  civil  engineer.  This  he  abandoned  when  tendered  the 
position  of  Secretary  and  Chief  Surveyor  of  Underwriters  of  Chicago.  In  this  position 
he  remained  until  i86i,  when  he  left  a young  family,  a mother  depending  upon  him 
for  sujiport,  and  a lucrative  position,  to  enlist  as  a private.  He  was  without  political, 
governmental  or  family  influence  of  an}'  kind.  He  entered  the  12th  Illinois  Infantry, 
and  was  among  the  first  to  seize  the  important  strategic  point  of  Cairo.  It  was  not 
long  before  his  military  ac(|uirements  and  capacity  were  recognized,  and  within  a month 
he  was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant,  and  later  Adjutant  of  the  regiment.  Following 
this  he  received  the  appointment  of  Captain,  then  Major,  and  after  his  brilliant  exploits 
at  Donelson  \vas  mentioned  in  general  orders  for  gallant  conduct.  In  April,  1862,  he 
was  promoted  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  his  regiment,  and  in  August  of  the  same  year  was 
placed  in  command  of  the  grand  guards,  pickets  and  outposts  of  the  Army  of  Tennessee, 
at  Corinth,  Mississippi. 

After  the  liattle  of  Stone  River  he  was  appointed  Inspector-General  of  Armv  of 
the  Cumberland  and  the  Department,  and  served  in  all  the  campaigns  of  this  army, 
under  both  Generals  Rosecranz  and  Thomas,  and  was  beloved  by  all.  His  record  shows 
that  he  was  constantly  selected  for  positions  calling  for  practical  military  knowledge  and 
efficiency  and  the  most  important  trust  and  conhdence.  Much,  very  much,  is  neces- 
sarily omitted  from  this  sketch,  of  his  experience  in  the  Civil  W’ar,  but  that  he  was  an 
officer  of  high  standing  and  distinguished  merit  is  well  known.  iMilitary  honors  followed 
him,  however,  into  civil  life.  He  was  made  a brevet  Brigadier-General  in  1866  and  in 
1878  an  officer  of  the  first  class  in  the  Loyal  Legion.  Governor  Beveridge  appointed 
him  to  the  command  of  the  National  Guard  of  Illinois  with  the  rank  of  iMajor-General, 
and  General  Ducat  had  a large  jiart  in  preparing  the  code  for  the  government  of  these 
forces.  In  1879  he  resigned  this  commission. 

The  Home  Insurance  Company  of  New  York  appointed  him  in  1865  to  supervise 
its  business  in  Ohio,  Indiana  and  Kentucky,  and  shortly  afterward  he  became  its  Agent 
and  General  Agent  in  Chicago,  with  an  extended  held.  His  career  as  an  underwriter 
was  eminently  successful,  his  popularity  and  his  aciiuaintance  throughout  the  W est  being 


130 


182 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


of  much  advantage  to  this  old,  strong  and  honorable  company,  of  whose  Western  De- 
partment he  was  an  Associate  Manager  in  the  well-known  firm  of  Ducat  & Lyon  for 
twenty  years.  His  name  as  an  underwriter,  in  the  states  tributary  to  Chicago,  was  so 
closely  interwoven  whth  the  “Home”  that  the  fame  of  the  managers  and  the  company 
became  co-extensive.  The  business  under  their  control  was  always  profitable  and  suc- 
cessful. His  death,  which  occurred  January  29,  1896,  was  the  occasion  of  universal 
sorrow,  all  realizing  the  loss  sustained  by  the  departure  of  such  a man.  The  Under- 
writers’ Association  met  soon  after  his  death  and  the  following  is  a part  of  the  memorial 
placed  on  the  record  of  the  Association;  “The  underwriters  of  this  city  were  yesterday 
shocked  to  hear  of  the  death  of  our  friend  and  fellow?  underwriter,  Arthur  C.  Ducat — a 
warm-hearted,  generous,  noble,  Christian  man,  one  w?hose  life  was  never  tainted  by  anv 
conduct  that  w?as  unmanly  or  unprofessional.”  General  Ducat  was  thrice  married  and 
the  father  of  seven  children. 


GEORGE  M.  LYON 

F(.)RMERLY  (IF.XERAf,  ACIENT  AND  ONE  OE  THE  WESTERN  DEPARTMENT  ^E4NA^.ERS  OE  THE  HO.ME 

INSURANCE  COMPANY  OF  NEAY  ^'ORK. 

Popular,  efficient  and  faithful,  such  w?ould  be  the  verdict  passed  upon  the  character 
and  standing  of  George  M.  Lyon,  l)y  any  sensible  citizen  of  Chicago,  of  w'hom  the 
(Question  might  be  asked.  Possessed  of  praisew'orthy  ambition  to  succeed,  Mr.  Lyon 
has  applied  himself  with  great  diligence  to  the  insurance  business  and  has  seized  all 
opportunities  for  informing  himself  thoroughly  as  to  details.  This  explains  his  readv 
grasp  of  the  whole  field  of  operations  and  the  signal  success  that  has  attended  his 
career.  Such  a man  becomes  a sure  and  safe  trustee  for  others,  w?ho  can  rest  assured 
that  he  will  act  for  them  as  for  himself.  Eor  a number  of  }'ears  now'  he  has  resided  in 
Chicago,  w'here  he  is  w'ell  and  favorably  known. 

In  the  Borough  of  Bedford,  Pennsylvania,  Mr.  Lyon  w'as  born  iMay  18,  1841. 
His  father,  William  Lyon,  w?as  a native  of  Baltimore,  Maryland,  but  subsequentlv 
moved  to  Pennsylvania,  w?here  he  married  Miss  Catherine  Mulhollan.  P'or  nearly  half 
a century  William  Lyon  \vas  a prominent  attorney  of  that  State.  His  ancestors  came 
originally  from  the  North  of  Ireland,  about  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth  century,  and 
have  been  jirominently  identified  with  the  history  of  lYnnsylvania  ever  since,  being 
connected  with  the  Armstrongs,  Chambers,  Blaines,  Broomes  and  other  noted  people. 
Mrs.  Lyon  w?as  of  Scotch-Irish  ancestry  and  her  father,  George  Mulhollan,  w?as  a 
prominent  and  well-known  business  man  of  Western  Pennsylvania,  his  family  being 
connected  with  the  Plales,  Sterretts,  Thompsons  and  other  representative  families. 

George  M.  Lyon  was  fortunate  in  having  excellent  educational  advantages  during 
his  youth,  receiving  his  training  at  jirivate  academies,  where  his  studies  were  sufficiently 
complete  to  admit  him  to  a high  college  course.  After  finishing  at  the  academy  he 
went  to  New'  Wirk,  w?here  he  became  junior  clerk  in  the  office  of  the  Home  Insurance 
Coni}iany,  thus  starting  out  in  life  to  earn  a livelihood.  As  time  passed  he  developed 
an  unusual  aptitude  for  the  business  he  had  chosen  and  was  gradually  advanced  in  the 
Home  office  until  he  became  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  company  in  1867. 

After  hlling  that  position  most  capably  until  October,  1873,  he  went  in  Chicago 
and  associated  himself  with  General  Ducat,  under  the  firm  name  of  Ducat  N Lyon,  in 
the  local  agency  business  and  as  Managers  of  the  Western  Department  of  the  Home 


r 


184 


'I'  H E U N D E R RITE  R. 


Insurance  Company  of  New  York,  which  department  was  removed  to  that  city  in 
October,  1893.  He  has  since  been  actively  engaged  in  the  insurance  business,  adding 
by  his  good  management  materially  to  the  strength  of  that  sterling  comiiany.  He  is  a 
thorough  insurance  man  by  taste  and  exjierience,  and  l)y  his  own  strength  of  character 
and  mental  powers  has  reached  the  enviable  position  he  now  occupies. 

Mr.  Lyon  is  not  so  taken  u})  with  the  duties  of  his  position  that  he  fails  to 
perform  the  obligations  of  a good  citizen,  and  he  has  always  heartily  supported  the 
best  public  enterprises  of  Chicago,  though  he  has  never  cared  for  jxditical  office.  For 
a number  of  years  he  has  been  a member  of  the  Chicago  and  Washington  Park  Clubs, 
and  he  is  also  a meml)er  of  the  Art  Institute.  He  has  traveled  so  extensively  in  his 
own  country  that  he  is  thoroughly  familiar  with  neaiiv  every  State  in  the  Union,  and 
having  made  trips  across  the  ocean  he  is  also  a well  posted  man  about  Europe.  Since 
early  childhood  he  has  been  a regular  attendant  at  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  is  a 
liberal  contributor  to  its  support. 


HOME  MUTUAL  INSURANCE  COMPANY  OE  SAN  FRANCISCO, 

CALIFORNIA. 

The  Home  Mutual  Insurance  Company  was  incorjmrated  in  1864  with  a subscribed 
capital  of  $1,000,000,  with  authority  to  do  Life  as  well  as  a Eire  and  IMarine  business. 
It  was  soon  apjxirent  that  the  conduct  of  Life  Insurance  with  b'ire  and  Marine  was 
not  compatible,  the  few  life  policies  issued  were  withdrawn,  and  the  capital  reduced 
to  $300,000. 

For  the  first  few  years  of  its  existence,  the  company  met  with  varying  success, 
but  in  1874  a change  took  place  in  the  management,  and  the  great  \hrginia  City  fire, 
\vhich  occurred  the  following  year,  was,  b}'  prompt  action,  taken  advantage  of  to  turn 
disaster  into  the  beginning  of  prosperity. 

The  company  lost  $150,000  in  the  conflagration,  and,  notwithstanding  the  fact 
that  it  was  com}')elled  to  levy  an  assessment  on  its  stock,  it  sent  two  able  adjusters  to 
the  scene  of  the  fire,  with  instructions  to  draw  on  the'  company  at  sight  in  full  for  all 
claims  as  fast  as  adjusted.  The  company’s  pojnilarity  was  so  great  as  the  result  of 
this  jiroinjE  and  liberal  settlement,  that  its  premium  income  more  than  doubled  the 
following  year,  and  the  company  was  enabled  to  pay  back  to  its  stockholders  the 
amount  of  their  assessment,  add  materially  to  its  surplus  and  pa}’  a twelve  per  cent 
dividend,  which  has  been  continued  uninterruptedly  ever  since — now  more  than  twenty 
years. 

The  growth  of  the  company  has  since  Ireen  continuous;  the  net  surplus  now 
amounts  to  $328,000,  and  the  last  sale  of  stock  was  at  over  $200  a share. 

Of  the  nineteen  California  coinpanies  which  were  doing  business  at  the  time  the 
Home  Mutual  was  organized,  or  have  since  been  incorporated,  the  Home  Mutual  and 
the  Fireman’s  Fund  only  have  withstood  the  vicissitudes  of  the  business. 

The  Home  IMutual  has  always  been  a strong  advocate  of  conservative  jmactices  in 
the  business  and  took  a prominent  part  in  the  organization  of  the  Pacific  Insurance 
Union,  its  then  Secretary,  Charles  R.  Story,  being  the  first  President  of  the  Union. 

'The  company  has  received  over  59.000,000  in  premiums  on  a loss  ratio  of  onl\’ 
forty-three  ])er  cent.  While  its  business  has  heretofore  chiefly  been  confined  to  the 


135 


« 


]■  IRE  A N ID  M A R I N E. 

Pacific  States  and  Territories,  it  is  now  establishing  agencies  in  New  York,  Boston, 
Chicago  and  other  principal  points  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

The  present  officers  of  the  Home  Mutual  Insurance  Company  are:  \\hlliam  J. 

Dutton,  President;  T.  \V.  Lougee,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer;  Stephen  D.  Ives, 
Secretary;  PTanklin  Bangs,  Assistant  Secretary,  and  they  constitute  an  exclusively 
‘D'ankee”  management,  having  been  born  respectively  in  Maine,  New  Hampshire, 
Connecticut  and  Massachusetts. 


STIHMIEN  I).  IVES. 

Stephen  1).  Ives,  Secretary  of  the  Home  Mutual  Insurance  Company  and  General 
Agent  of  the  Eireman's  Eund  Insurance  Company,  was  born  in  Meriden,  Connecticut, 
where  he  grew  to  manhood  and  had  his  first  business  experience. 

In  the  early  ’70s  he  came  to  California  as  representative  of  several  Eastern  manu- 
facturing firms,  but  shortly  gave  this  up  and  accepted  a position  as  traveling  salesman 
for  a prominent  San  P'rancisco  wholesale  house,  and  for  a number  of  years  followed  this 
occupation,  during  which,  as  representative  of  several  San  Erancisco  firms,  he  acquired 
a valuable  store  of  information  regarding  various  classes  of  merchandise,  and  an  exten- 
sive acquaintance  throughout  the  coast. 

In  March,  1882,  he  entered  the  service  of  the  Fireman’s  I'und  Insurance  Company 
as  a Special  Agent,  and  his  suavity  of  manner  and  varied  information  soon  made  him 
both  popular  among  the  agents  and  valuable  to  the  company,  jiarticularly  as  an  adjuster 
of  losses,  in  which  he  had  constant  opportunity  to  utilize  his  knowledge  of  different 
classes  of  merchandise. 

In  January,  1892,  he  was  appointed  General  Agent  and  located  at  the  Home  office  in 
charge  of  the  special  work  and  adjustments.  In  Jul39  1892,  the  I'ireman’s  I'und,  having 
ac(]uired  control  of  the  Home  Mutual  Insurance  Company,  elected  IMr.  Ives  to  the  addi- 
tional duties  of  Secretary  of  that  company,  and  his  extensive  actjuaintance  among  the 
agents  and  knowledge  of  their  relative  merits  was  of  great  value  in  assimilating  the 
field  work  of  the  two  companies. 

Mr.  I ves  is  highly  regarded  among  his  fellows  as  eminently  level-headed  and  con- 
servative, and  has  been  honored  by  election  to  the  presidency  of  the  Eire  Underwriters’ 
Association  of  the  Pacific. 

ERANKEIN  BANGS. 

Franklin  Bangs.  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Home  Mutual  Insurance  Company, 
while  coming  of  good  old  New  England  stock,  having  been  born  at  Brewster,  Massa- 
chusetts, has  passed  most  of  his  life  in  California,  his  parents  having  moved  to  that 
State  during  his  boyhood. 

In  1871  he  commenced  his  business  life  as  a junior  clerk  in  the  office  of  the  Home 
Mutual  Insurance  Company,  where  he  has  ever  since  remained,  having  successively  filled 
various  positions  up  to  that  of  Chief  Clerk,  which  he  had  occupied  for  several  years 
prior  to  1892,  when  he  was  elected  to  his  present  office  of  Assistant  Secretary. 

Mr.  Bangs  is  the  oldest  employe  of  the  company,  and  his  accpiaintance  with  the 
history  of  all  its  affairs,  as  well  as  his  familiarity  with  the  duties  of  every  desk  in  the 
office,  makes  him  a particularly  valuable  man  to  the  comjiany. 


THE  INSURANCE  COMPANY  OE  NORTH  AMERICA. 


It  is  with  no  small  satisfation  that  Philadelphia,  as  the  birthplace  of  insurance  in 
America,  is  able  to  acknowledge  among  its  more  than  fifty  insurance  companies  one 
that  reaches  back  almost  to  the  beginning  of  national  existence  and  one  in  which  ability 
and  honest  management  have  brought  well-deserved  returns,  so  that  it  has  grown  to  be 
a firm  and  substantial  monument  of  the  business  integrity  and  financial  strength  of  the 
country.  The  Insurance  Company  of  North  America  had  its  origin  in  The  Universal 
Tontine,  which  was  projected  in  Philadelphia  early  in  1792,  but  which  was  changed  into 
a general  insurance  company  and  called  the  Insurance  Company  of  North  America  in 
November  of  that  year.  It  became  necessarily  the  architect  of  its  own  fortunes.  There 
were  no  rate  books  in  those  days,  no  guide  posts  to  mark  the  course  which  led  to  com- 
parative safety,  if  not  profit. 

It  may  not  be  generally  known  that  the  original  idea  of  the  incorporators  of  this 
company  was  to  transact  solely  a marine  business,  the  demand  for  that  class  of  under- 
writing being  regarded  as  sufficient  to  justify  the  existence  of  the  new  organization. 
But  soon  the  possibilities  which  rested  in  fire  insurance  were  suggested  to  the  directors. 
In  April,  1794,  it  was  proposed  “to  form  a plan  for  Insuring  Goods,  Wares,  and  Mer- 
chandise in  Dwelling  Houses,  Warehouses  or  Stores  and  upon  Buildings,  against  the 
Risque  arising  from  Eire,’’  and  a committee  was  appointed  to  give  the  subject  the  con- 
sideration which  it  merited.  Eventually  the  proposition  was  favored.  The  records  show 
that  in  those  days  the  call  for  fire  policies  was  not  very  general,  but  as  the  amounts 
sometimes  written  on  a single  policy  were  large  the  business  assumed  a character 
which  justified  the  attention  given  to  it. 

Every  fire  insurance  agent  in  this  country  knows  what  the  Insurance  Company  of 
North  America  now  is.  Its  growth  has  always  been  contemporaneous  with  the  industrial 
and  material  progress  of  this  hemisphere.  The  influence  of  this  company  extends  to 
nearly  every  part  of  the  hemisphere  from  which  it  takes  its  name.  It  is  known  as  a 
great  agency  company,  being  represented  wherever  there  is  an  honest  call  for  insurance. 
There  is  hardly  a town  deemed  too  small  to  receive  its  careful  attention,  and  officers, 
therefore,  are  obliged  to  maintain  a watchful  consideration  of  the  fire  hazard  of  the 
metropolis  of  the  world  on  the  one  hand  and  the  village  on  the  other. 

To  Mr.  John  M.  Nesbitt,  the  first  President,  and  to  Mr.  Ebenezer  Hazard  must  be 
granted  the  meed  of  the  successful  establishment  of  the  company.  Mr.  Samuel 
Blodget,  though  he  was  not  an  an  officer,  takes  appropriate  place  as  a co-worker  and 
co-founder  with  Mr.  Hazard  and  others  immediately  following  that  gentleman. 

The  presidents  of  this  noted  old  company  are  named  as  follows:  John  M.  Nesbitt, 
serving  from  December  ii,  1792,  to  January,  1796;  Charles  Pettit,  from  January  13, 
1796,  till  January  9,  1798:  Joseph  Ball,  January  9,  1789,  till  July  8,  1799:  Charles  Pettit, 
from  July  8,  1799,  till  September  3,  i8o6;  John  Inskeep,  from  October  i,  1806,  till  April 
5,  1831:  John  C.  Smith,  from  April  5,  1831,  till  June  22,  1845;  Arthur  G.  Coffin,  July 
I,  1845,  till  January  14,  1878,  and  Charles  Platt,  from  January  14,  1878,  up  to  the 
present  time. 

The  company  has  a corps  of  agents  who  have  been,  as  a whole,  long  identified 
with  the  company,  who  have  had  its  interests  at  heart,  and  who  in  their  own 
si)ecial  sphere  are,  as  a rule,  as  worthy  of  confidence  as  the  company  itself.  The 
volume  of  business  done  is  enormous.  The  financial  strength  of  the  company  is  attested 
by  the  following  figures  of  January  1,  1896;  Capital,  $3,000,000:  assets,  $9,487,673.53. 
and  suriffus,  $2,02  2,oi6.*49. 


CHARLES  PLATT 


PRKSIDKXT  OF  THE  INSURANCE  COMPANY  OF  NOR'l'II  AMERICA. 

It  has  often  been  said  that  an  organization  or  institution  is  just  M'hat  the  men 
who  compose  it  make  it.  This  is  a theory  which  is  substantiated  in  the  successful 
jM'ogress  of  the  Insurance  Company  of  North  America,  which,  from  its  outset  down  to 
and  including  in  the  present  one,  has  had  a succession  of  administrations  of  which  any 
institution  may  be  jM'oud.  Prominent  among  those  who  have  aided  so  materially  in 
bringing  this  welLknown  company  to  its  jmesent  prosperous  condition  is  Charles  Platt, 
whose  six  predecessors  in  the  office  left  him  a grand  heritage.  The  history  of  the 
company,  in  all  its  ramifications,  would  serve  for  the  general  reader  as  a history  of  fire 
and  marine  insurance. 

Mr.  Platt  was  born  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia  L'ebruary  i6,  1829;  son  of  William 
and  Maria  (Taylor)  Platt.  After  pursuing  an  academic  course,  he  entered  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania,  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  with  honors  in  1846,  when  in  his  eigh- 
teenth year.  Heat  once  turned  his  education  to  practical  account  by  entering  the  Inisiness 
house  of  his  father,  who  was  extensively  engaged  in  trade  with  China.  One  }-ear  after 
his  graduation  he  sailed  in  one  of  his  father’s  ships,  the  “Tartar,”  for  the  Orient,  and, 
with  Ritchie  & Company,  of  Canton,  a celebrated  firm  in  those  days,  he  formed  a 
connection  which  lasted  for  three  years.  In  that  time  he  gained  an  excellent  knowledge 
of  business  transactions,  which  has  remained  wi-th  him  through  life,  and  which  well  fitted 
him  to  occupy  an  executive  position  in  his  father’s  business. 

On  leaving  China  he  did  not  sail  direct  to  the  Ldiited  States,  but  went  to  Calcutta 
first,  then  visited  the  Red  Sea,  and  made  the  tour  of  Europe,  reaching  home  in  the 
autumn  of  1850,  after  having  circumnavigated  the  globe.  The  following  year  he  was 
admitted  as  a (lartner  in  the  house  of  W’illiam  Idatt  & Sons.  On  the  3d  of  January,  i860, 
he  \vas  elected  Secretary  of  the  Insurance  Company  of  North  America,  and  on  the  13th  of 
Januaiy,  1869,  its  Vice-President,  and  finally,  on  Mr.  Coffins’  resignation  in  1878,  was 
elected  President  on  January  14th  of  that  year. 

Mr.  Platt  soon  won  the  esteem  and  respect  of  the  board,  composed  of  men  his 
seniors  in  years,  and  in  the  trying  times  which  followed  in  the  country’s  history  was 
skillful  and  firm  in  the  develoinnent  of  the  company’s  business.  His  administration  has 
covered  the  most  active  and  growing  (leriod  in  the  company’s  history,  and  has  brought 
it  to  the  foremost  rank  of  American  institutions. 


JEROME  ERANCIS  DOWNING 

GENERAL  AGENT  OF  THE  WESTERN  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  INSURANCE  COMPANY  OF  NORTH 

AMERICA. 

jerome  b'rancis  Downing,  a representative  citizen  of  Ivrie,  Pa.,  was  born  in 
Hampshire  County,  Massachusetts,  March  24,  1827.  His  father,  James  Downing,  was 

born  in  Poston  in  1775,  and  his  mother,  Roxana  L'orbush,  belonged  to  a Roxbury 
family  of  that  name.  They  settled  first  in  Roxbuiy,  mow  a jxirt  of  Boston,  but 
remo\'ed  about  the  year  1810  to  the  tovai  of  hfnfield,  in  the  county  above  named,  and 
took  up  their  abode  on  a farm  (still  in  (possession  of  one  of  the  children),  where  they 
reared  a large  family  of  seven  sons  and  tour  daughters,  Jerome  being  the  youngest 
child.  Dike  many  young  men  who  have  become  useful  and  influential  citizens,  young 


13S 


7 


FIRE  AN  D AI  A R I N E. 


139 


Downing  was  accustomed  to  hard  work,  either  on  the  farm  or  in  some  one  of  the 
factories  or  machine  shops  then  established  in  the  neighborhood.  In  this  manner  he 
obtained  the  means  of  securing  a better  education  than  the  common  school  afforded, 
and  in  1848  entered  the  freshman  class  of  Amherst  College.  Two  years  later,  he 
became  the  editor  of  a newspaper  in  Holyoke,  Mass.,  which  position  he  soon  relin- 
quished for  the  chief  editorship  of  the  d'roy  (N.  Y.  ) Daily  Post,  where  he  remained 
for  some  time ; his  next  move  being  in  the  direction  of  the  legal  profession.  Having 
been  admitted  to  the  bar,  Mr.  Downing  settled  in  Erie,  Pa.,  in  the  fall  of  1855,  and 
in  1863  was  elected  district  attorney  of  the  county.  The  following  year,  a new 
departure  in  life  was  presented  to  him.  The  old  Insurance  Company  of  North  Amer- 
ica, of  Philadelphia,  then,  as  now,  one  the  most  prominent  fire  and  marine  insurance 
companies  in  the  country,  was  looking  about  for  a suitable  person  to  extend  its  operations 
into  the  Western  States.  The  choice  fell  upon  Mr.  Downing,  notwithstanding  the 
fact  that  he  had  not  been  brought  iqi  to  the  business  ol  hre  insurance.  With  much  reluct- 
ance and  many  misgivings,  the  jiosition  olfered  of  General  Agent  for  the  Western  States 
for  the  company  named  was  accepted,  heachjuarters  to  be  established  in  Erie  for  the 
time  being.  'Phis  position  Mr.  Downing  has  now  (1896)  held  for  over  thirty-two  years; 
an  era  of  remarkalde  success  for  the  comjiany's  Western  business.  Indeed  it  can  be 
said  that  no  one  in  the  same  line  of  effort  has  l>een  more  successful.  Mr.  Downing’s 
field  of  operations  embraces  the  States  of  Ohio,  West  \’irginia,  Michigan,  Indiana, 

Kentucky,  Tennessee,  Illinois,  Wisconsin.  Minnesota,  North  and  South  Dakota,  Iowa, 
M issouri,  Nebraska,  Kansas  and  Wyoming,  and  the  Teiritoiies  of  Oklahoma  and  New 
Mexico,  in  which  field  over  3,000  agencies  have  been  established.  The  headquarters 
of  the  department  still  remain  at  Erie,  where  Mr.  Downing  occupies  one  of  the  finest 
and  best-appointed  general  offices  in  the  country.  A business  of  such  importance, 

spread  over  so  large  a field,  demands  a large  force  of  experienced  assistants,  both  in 
the  office  and  in  the  field,  all  of  whom  look  to  i\Ir.  Downing  for  instruction  and 

direction  in  their  various  duties.  It  is  only  justice  to  say  that  no  department  office  of 
any  of  our  most  prominent  underwriting  institutions  during  the  last  quarter  of  a century 
has  been  conducted  more  successfully  or  more  conscientiously,  Mr.  Downing's  business 
motto  being  the  Golden  Rule.  Just  and  honorable  dealing  with  all  patrons  of  the 
companies  represented  by  Mr.  Downing,  in  the  settlement  of  losses  or  in  other  Inisiness, 
has  created  an  unusually  friendly  sentiment  and  led  to  a i'>atronage  of  veiy  large 
jmoportions.  The  writer  of  a sketch  of  Mr.  Downing,  ]nd)lished  in  the  “History  of 
Erie  County,”  says:  “ Erom  the  general  features  of  Jerome  E.  Downing's  business 

career  here  outlined,  it  appears  that  the  profession  of  hre  underwriting,  in  the  widest 
sense  of  the  term,  has  been  his  main  life-work,  and  is  likely  to  so  continue  for  the 

remainder  of  his  business  career.  But  it  will  be  a mistake  to  suppose  that  Mr.  Downing 
has  conhned  himself  exclusively  to  the  duties  of  his  profession."  The  same  writer 
referred  to  above  describes  Mr.  Downing  as  a citizen  in  these  words  : “He  has  not 

simply  been  a successful  business  man  ; he  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in 
promoting  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  the  city  where  his  home  has  been  for  so  man}' 
years  ; has  invested  liberally  in  manufacturing  enterprises  and  in  the  erection  of  a large 
number  of  hue  dwelling  houses  for  the  accommodation  of  such  as  do  not  own  their 
homes,  as  well  as  other  buildings,  among  which  may  be  mentioned  his  new  office 
building,  one  of  the  finest  structures  for  the  purpose  designed  in  the  state.” 


HON.  CHARLES  R.  KNOWLES 


NEW  YOKE  STATE  MANAGER  OE  THE  INSURANCE  COMI’ANY  OE  NORT?I  AMERICA,  PENNSYLVANIA 
EIRE  INSURANCE  COMPANY  AND  ITI I EADELITI  lA  UNDERWRITERS, 

ALL  OE  PHILADELPHIA,  PA. 

The  free  country  of  America  affords  numberless  instances  of  men  who  have  made 
their  own  way  alone  in  life,  having  nothing  on  which  to  depend  but  their  own  strong 
arms  and  a determination  to  do  and  succeed.  Such  men  are  alwa}’s  self-reliant,  their 
necessities  having  taught  them  that  what  is  done  must  be  done  through  themselves 
alone.  They  are  worthy  and  well  qualified  to  perform  the  duties  they  are  called  upon 
to  discharge,  and  are  generally  leaders  of  thought  and  action. 

Such  a man  is  Charles  R.  Knowles,  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Mr.  Knowles  is 

a native  of  Long  Island,  born  at  Riverhead,  May  i6,  1839.  His  father  was  the  Rev. 
Charles  Jenkins  Knowles,  and  his  mother  a sister  of  Col.  Eliakim  Sherrill,  who  after- 
ward met  death  bravely  at  Gettysburg  while  in  charge  of  one  of  the  important  brigades 
on  that  eventful  day  when  so  many  brave  hearts  and  loyal  souls  freely  gave  their  lives 
for  their  country.  Of  the  eight  children  liorn  to  this  worthy  couple.  Charles  Knowles 
was  third  in  the  order  of  birth.  His  youthful  days  were  divided  between  working  on 
the  farm  in  summer  and  attending  district  school  in  winter.  In  addition  to  this  pre- 
liminary education  he  attended  the  Riverhead  Seminary  and  the  Greeneville  Academy, 
both  noted  institutions  of  learning  in  their  day,  and  it  is  needless  to  say  Charles  made 

the  most  of  his  time  and  opportunities  as  a student  in  each. 

At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  entered  the  insurance  office  of  his  uncle,  J.  C.  Lewis, 
Washington,  I).  C.,  where  he  remained  for  some  two  years.  The  business  proved  a 
most  congenial  one  to  the  young  man,  and  here  he  early  developed  a marked  ability 
for  it.  Later  he  began  the  study  of  the  law  with  his  cousin.  Judge  Knowles,  of  Potsdam, 
St.  Lawrence  County,  N.  Y.  But  when  the  second  call  for  recruits  came,  after  the 
battle  of  Bull  Run,  young  Knowles  laid  aside  law  Iiooks  for  drill  manual,  organized  a 
company,  of  which  he  was  chosen  captain,  and  went  a-soldiering.  This  company  became 
a part  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Potomac,  whose  fortunes  it  followed  through  the 
Peninsular  campaign.  It  was  here,  while  supporting  a battery  at  the  battle  of  Pair 
Oaks,  every  third  man  of  the  gallant  command  was  either  killed,  wounded  or  taken 
prisoner. 

Soon  after  this  Mr.  Knowles  was  stricken  with  the  lYninsular  fever  and  removed 
to  Washington.  After  a brief  period  of  rest  he  resigned  his  commission  and  soon 
afterward  was  appointed  to  the  navy.  The  high  rank  of  Judge  Advocate  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi S(|uadron  was  conferred  upon  him,  in  which  capacity  he  served  upon  the  staff 
of  Rear  Admiral  Lee.  This  office  was  a very  important  as  well  as  a busy  one. 

Eollowing  the  war,  Mr.  Knowles  went  to  Albany  and  became  connected  with  the 
Commerce  Insurance  Company  as  its  General  Agent.  Although  he  had  been  admitted 
to  the  bar  he  was  never  actively  engaged  in  the  practice  of  the  profession.  His 
insurance  connections  demanded  all  his  time  and  thought. 

In  1868  he  secured  the  New  York  State  Agency  of  the  old  Insurance  Company  of 
North  America,  of  Philadelphia,  and  later  there  was  added  to  his  state  management 
the  lYnnsylvania  Eire  Insurance  Company  of  Philadelphia,  and  the  Royal  Insurance 
Company  of  England.  The  Imsiness  of  the  comjxinies  at  once  assumed  large  proportions. 
His  management  from  its  inception  evidenced  marked  ability  and  gave  promise  of 
great  growth  and  large  jirofit.  His  is  now  by  far  both  the  oldest  and  largest  State  agenc}’ 
of  the  State. 


140 


142 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


January  i,  i8S<S,  the  Royal  Insurance  Company  decided  to  unite  the  New  York 
State  Department  with  the  iMetro]:)olitan  Department,  under  the  management  of  E.  F. 
Deddall,  wliich  left  Mr.  Knowles  with  the  management  of  the  Insurance  Company  of 
North  America  and  the  Pennsylvania  Fire  Insurance  Company.  January  i,  1896,  the 
Philadelphia  Underwriters  was  added  to  the  list  of  his  companies. 

In  politics  Mr.  Knowles  is  a Republican  of  very  pronounced  views,  and  a forcible, 
pleasant  and  popular  speaker,  who,  during  many  a hard-fought  campaign  in  his  State, 
has  rendered  signal  service  -to  his  party  both  as  a safe  counselor  and  popular  stump 
speaker,  lie  was  hrst  elected  Supervisor  of  his  ward;  in  1879  as  a member  of  the 
Assembly,  where  he  was  a leader  in  thought  and  action,  being  chairman  of  the 
important  Committee  of  Commerce  and  Navigation,  and  though  second  on  the  Com- 
mittee of  Insurance,  as  an  adviser  and  infiuencer  was  practically  its  chairman. 

Further  political  aspirations  and  honors  were  subordinated  to  the  demands  of  his 
growing  l)usiness. 

Always  active  in  religious  and  charitable  work,  he  is  a member  of  the  Emmanuel 
Haptist  Church  of  Albany,  and  one  of  its  trustees;  Acting  President  of  Fairview  Home 
for  Friendless  Children;  Vice-l’resident  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Young  Men’s 
Christian  Association;  Governor  of  the  Albany  Hospital;  Director  of  the  Merchants’ 
National  Bank;  Trustee  of  the  Albany  City  Savings  Bank,  and  largely  interested  in 
other  local  business  enterprises. 

He  was  married  in  1862  to  Miss  Gilbert,  and  to  them  were  born  five  children. 
The  only  surviving  son,  Charles  P.  Knowles,  is  a recent  graduate  of  the  Medical  Col- 
lege of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  of  New  York  City,  a young  man  of  great  promise  in 
his  chosen  profession. 


WIFFIAM  BURDETT  McCRAY 

ASSISTANT  MANAGER  OF  THE  INSt'RANCE  CO.Ml’ANV  OF  NORTH  A.MERICA  AND  PHI I.AHEEl’H lA 

UNDERWRITERS. 

Success  in  business  is  a guerdon  that  is  very  cautiously  liestowed  upon  a person 
by  the  goddess  who  in  a measure  guides  and  invariably  decorates  man’s  efforts.  And 
this  same  success  is  far  more  ajit  to  come  because  of  the  pursuer’s  genius  and  adapt- 
ability for  his  chosen  calling,  than  for  any  mere  luck,  ambition,  push  or  demand. 
Determined  effort  invites  success.  Included  In  the  narrow  circle  of  men  who  have  made 
their  way  to  the  front  liy  their  unusual  abilities  is  William  Burdett  McCray,  Assistant 
Manager  of  the  New  khrgland  I )e]iartment  of  the  Insurance  Company  of  North  America, 
and  I’hiladeljdH'a  Ihiderwriters,  as  well  as  an  active  member  of  the  local  fire  and 
marine  agency  firm  of  C.  C.  Kimball  A Co.  of  Hartford,  Connecticut. 

Mr.  McCray  was  born  in  Ellington,  Connecticut,  December  16,  1852,  and  is  of 
Scotch  extraction.  He  is  the  only  son  ol  Henry  McCray  and  Roxana  Kimball  McCray. 
During  young  McCray’s  youthful  days  the  town  of  Ellington  was  celelirated  for  its 
excellent  educational  institutions,  but  he  soon  develojied  a taste  for  military  affairs  and 
for  this  reason  was  sent  to  the  Itpiscopal  Military  Academ}-  at  Cheshire,  where  he  sub- 
seciucntly  graduated  with  honors,  being  also  the  youngest  member  of  his  class. 

It  was  his  bot'ish  intention  to  enter  the  army,  but  the  ojiposition  of  his  family 
prevented  him  doing  this,  and  abandoning  the  idea  he  entered  activelx'  in  the  insurance 
business  in  the  office  of  his  uncle,  C.  C.  Kimliall,  at  Hartford,  Connecticut.  In  this 


U4 


I'HE  UNDERWRITER. 


city  his  military  ability  was  immediately  recognized  by  Colonel  J.  E.  Hamilton,  a war 
veteran  then  commanding  the  ist  Regiment  Connecticut  National  Guard,  and  he  was 
appointed  Regimental  Adjutant,  in  which  capacity  he  served  about  three  years.  It  was 
at  a period  when  the  State  troops  were  being  re-organized  and  his  training  and  discipline 
did  a great  deal  to  further  the  high  standard  which  has  since  been  maintained  by  the 
Connecticut  National  Guard.  Without  doubt  he  was  the  youngest  adjutant  known  to 

the  service. 

As  business  cares  increased  Mr.  McCray  resigned  from  the  service,  but  after  an 
interval  of  two  or  three  years  he  w^as  persuaded  to  accept  the  office  of  paymaster  on 
the  staff  of  Colonel  L.  A.  Harbour,  a position  he  held  for  several  years.  He  is  now 
retired  as  paymaster  under  a recent  legislative  act. 

All  his  life  Mr.  McCray  has  evinced  a remarkable  liking  for  music  and  is  not  only 
a fair  performer  on  the  piano  and  flute,  but  has  also  had  much  experience  in  church 
quartet  singing.  Among  the  citizens  of  Hartford,  where  Air.  McCray  makes  his  home, 
he  is  conspicuous  for  that  kindness  and  hospitality  which  make  the  recollections  of  a 
visit  to  a strange  place  linger  long  in  the  memory  of  a visitor.  He  is  a man  of  high 
intelligence,  is  gifted  with  fine  judgment,  and  is  deservedly  popular.  Unlike  man}'  other 
insurance  men  he  has  never  seriously  considered  overtures  to  become  connected  with 
other  offices  or  enterprises,  but  has  remained  faithful  to  his  first  business  connection 
and  has  for  many  years  enjoyed  the  abundant  proof  that  his  efforts  have  been  ap- 
preciated. 

At  an  early  age  Mr.  McCray  selected  his  life  companion  in  the  person  of  Miss 
Florine  Thayer,  daughter  of  Hon.  John  W.  Thayer,  a prominent  citizen  of  Rockville, 
Connecticut.  She  is  a lady  of  large  and  varied  mental  ability,  is  favorably  known  as  a 
journalist  and  the  author  of  several  books.  Together  Mr.  and  Mrs.  AIcCray  have 
traveled  for  pleasure  (|uite  extensively  in  this  country  and  in  Europe.  Their  home  in 
Hartford  is  always  open  to  a large  circle  of  friends  of  literary  and  musical  tastes,  and 
in  it  is  seen  all  the  grace  and  delicacy  which  a refined  and  cultured  taste  is  capable 
of  giving. 


JAAIES  DYAS  HAIEEY 

(;knkrai.  agkxt  pacific  coast  I)Kpartmf:nt,  ixsuraxcf:  compaxv  of  xori'ii  a.mf:rica. 

Among  underwriters  in  this  country  the  name  of  James  L).  Bailey  takes  a promi- 
nent place,  for  few  have  been  longer  in  continuous  service  than  he.  Air.  Bailey  is, 
indeed,  an  authority  on  the  subject,  and  his  knowledge  has  lieen  gained  in  the  very 
best  school — that  of  experience.  He  began  business  in  the  W est  in  the  year  1862  and 
has  carried  it  on  most  successfully  up  to  the  present  time.  Should  he  so  desire,  he  could 
write  a very  full  and  accurate  history  of  underwriting  on  the  Pacific  Coast,  and  his 
volume  would  prove  interesting  reading. 

Janies  I).  Iffiiley  was  born  in  Boston,  Alassachusetts,  July  16,  1839.  and  for  many 
years  now^  he  has  been  a resident  of  San  Erancisco.  He  is  a son  of  Edwin  and  Alar- 
<iaret  Ann  ITiilev,  both  members  of  old  New^  England  families,  liorn  in  181;  and  i8is 
respectively,  the  grandson  of  Paul  and  Sibyl  Bailey,  great-grandson  of  Paul  and  Ann 
Bailey;  great-great-grandson  of  Ebenezer  and  Alary  Bailey,  great-great-great-grandsoii 
of  joseph  and  Alartha  Bailey,  and  great-great-great-great-grandson  of  |ohn  and  Ruth 
Bailey.  It  was  during  the  colonial  history  of  the  country  that  the  Baile\'  family  tree  took 


U() 


r H E U N D E R \V  K T T E R. 


root  on  American  soil,  John  Bailey,  the  latter  ancestor,  having  left  England  for  this 
country  prior  to  1670.  He  settled  at  “Farm  Neck,”  in  the  town  of  Scituate,  iMassa- 
chusetts,  where  his  descendents  have  continued  in  possession  of  that  property  up  to  the 
present  time. 

Ihiul  Bailey,  born  in  1 743,  took  an  active  part  in  the  Revolutionary  W'ar,  being 
attached  to  Plymouth  (Massachusetts)  Regiment,  commanded  by  Colonel  John  (Pushing, 
lie  was  also  a member  of  the  first  “Committee  of  Safety”  organized  in  1774. 

James  D.  Bailey  was  graduated  in  Boston  from  the  “Lyman”  school,  and  received 
the  “P'ranklin”  medal  of  1852.  Later  he  determined  to  travel  extensively,  visit  foreign 
countries,  and  gain  further  knowledge  by  actual  observation  and  contact  with  the  world. 
After  ten  years  spent  in  this  manner  he  decided  to  locate,  and  what  he  had  read  and 
heard  of  California  no  doubt  led  to  his  settling  in  that  State.  In  1862  moved  to  San 
Francisco  and  soon  after  became  interested  in  insurance,  taking  a position  in  the  office 
of  McLean  & Fowler,  then  General  Agents  of  the  Hartford  Fire  Insurance  Companv. 

Upon  the  organization  of  the  Union  Insurance  Company  of  San  Francisco,  in  1865, 
he  entered  the  service  of  that  company,  and  f)y  a conscientious  and  faithful  attention 
to  its  interests  he  was  advanced  slowly  but  surely  through  the  several  grades  of  special 
agent,  accountant,  general  agent  and  secretary,  which  latter  position  he  held  until  the 
absorption  of  the  “Union”  by  the  “Alliance”  of  London  in  1891,  being  in  continuous 
service  for  twenty-six  years.  In  August,  1892,  Mr.  Bailey  was  appointed  General  Agent 
for  the  Pacific  Department  of  the  Insurance  Company  of  North  America,  this  embrac- 
ing California,  Oregon,  Washington,  Nevada,  Montana,  x\rizona,  Idaho,  Utah,  British 
Columbia  and  the  Hawaiian  Islands. 

x\  contemporary  in  speaking  of  Mr.  Bailey  said:  “He  holds  a leading  position  as 
a fire  underwriter,  and  that  he  has  the  confidence  of  the  company  is  demonstrated  hy 

his  long  service  in  its  interests  and  the  respect  of  his  associates  in  the  insurance  pro- 

fession.” He  has  indeed  devoted  his  best  energies  to  insurance  work  and  his  unvaried 
success  and  great  popularity  is  due  to  this.  He  belongs  to  few  clubs  or  societies,  but 
is  a member  of  the  Sons  of  the  American  Revolution.  For  thirty  years  he  has  been  a 
member  of  the  First  Unitarian  Church  of  San  Francisco,  and  he  is  now,  and  has  been 
for  many  years.  Treasurer  of  its  Board  of  Trustees,  and  is  prominent  in  social,  chari- 
table and  religious  matters  in  San  Francisco.  In  politics  he  is  a Republican.  Mr. 

Bailey  was  married  to  Miss  Maria  E.  Sweetser,  of  Bangor,  iMaine,  and  to  them  have 

been  born  two  children. 

ROBERT  S.  CRITCHELL 

MANAGER  INSURANCE  COMl’ANY  OF  THE  STATE  OF  PENNSYLVANIA  AND  'I'HF  'PFUTONIA 

INSURANCE  COMPANY  OF  NEM'  ORLEANS. 

One  of  the  professions  in  life  which  seems  to  require  a particular  adaptability  and 
natural  gift  is  that  of  insurance.  .V  gentleman  who  excels  in  this  line  is  Robert  S. 
Critchell,  Manager  of  the  Insurance  Company,  State  of  PennsylYania,  and  the  Teutonia 
Insurance  Company  of  New  Orleans.  He  is  a natixe  of  England,  born  at  Glastonbury, 
January  18,  1844,  but  when  only  three  years  old  was  brought  to  the  United  States  by  his 
jiarents,  who  settled  at  Rochester,  New  h'ork.  In  1855  the  family  moved  to  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  and  there,  while  but  a schoolboy,  he  was  seized  with  a great  ambition  to  earn 
his  own  living  and  become  a successful  business  man.  \'ery  much  against  the  wishes 


I4S 


T I I E U X D E R W R I T E R. 


of  his  parents,  he  secured  a jiosition  in  the  insurance  agency  of  Samuel  E.  Mack  & 
Comjuiny,  which  at  that  time  (1H57)  represented  such  companies  as  the  Home, 
Continental  and  others. 

In  i860  Mr.  Mack,  the  head  of  this  hrm,  was  appointed  Western  General  Agent 
of  the  Home  Insurance  Company  of  New  ’Gnk  at  St.  Louis,  and  he  was  so  attached 
to  young  Critchell  that  he  persuaded  him  to  go  to  St.  Louis  with  the  new  enterprise. 
At  the  end  of  two  years  Mr.  Critchell  returned  to  Cincinnati,  where  he  became  clerk- 
in  the  Western  Dejiartment  of  the  ^“Etna  Insurance  Company  of  Hartford,  then  in 
charge  of  J.  P>.  Hennett.  In  1863  he  went  into  the  Idiited  States  Navy  (Mississippi 
S(}uadron)  as  a junior  officer,  and  was  in  the  service  until  the  close  of  the  war,  when  he 
went  to  St.  Louis,  where  he  was  immediately  appointed  Special  Agent  for  the  Home 
Insurance  Company,  traveling  in  that  cajiacity  throughout  the  Wffistern  and  Southern 
States  until  1868. 

In  that  year  he  went  to  Chicago  as  Special  Agent  of  the  Lhenix  Insurance 
Company,  of  Lu-ooklyn,  and  as  such  had  supervision  of  that  compan)'  for  eight  states, 
having  as  his  assistants  in  the  territory  a number  of  gentlemen  who  have  since  become 
very  prominent  in  the  business.  He  added  to  his  business  the  Chicago  Agency  of  the 
Lhenix  ol  L)rooklyn  and  other  companies  in  1870,  and  at  the  time  of  the  great  fire  in 
Chicago,  in  1871,  his  local  agency  was  the  first  after  the  fire  to  open  an  office,  the  first 
to  jniy  a loss  and  the  first  to  issue  a policy. 

At  the  present  time  Mr.  Critchell  is  now  Manager  of  the  Wffistern  Department  of 
the  Insurance  Company,  State  of  Pennsylvania,  and  the  d'entonia  Insurance  Company 
of  New  Orleans,  and  also  Manager  of  the  “ Cook  County  Department  ” of  the  Caledonia 
Insurance  Company  of  Scotland  and  the  Spring  Ckirden  Insurance  Compan)'  of  Phila- 
delphia, and  is  head  of  the  firm  of  K.  S.  Critchell  & Company,  which,  in  point  of  the 
numlier  of  sole  agencies  represented  and  premiums  written  for  the  companies  represented, 
is  the  largest  in  the  city  of  Chicago. 

Mr.  Critchell  is  an  ardent  believer  in  the  sole  agency  plan,  and  he  claims  that 
the  twenty-five  years’  experience  in  which  the  ju'emiums  of  R.  S.  Critchell  & Companv’s 
agency  ran  largely  into  the  millions,  with  losses  less  than  forty-five  per  cent,  justifies 
his  position.  He  is  jirominent  in  commercial  and  social  circles  in  Chicago,  for  many 
years  was  Vice-President,  Secretary  and  Director  of  the  Ibiion  League  Club  of  Chicago. 
I'or  a number  of  years  after  the  second  large  fire  in  Chicago  (1874),  he  was  an  active 
member  of  various  committees  of  Citizens’  Association  and  Iffiard  of  Underwriters,  which 
secured  important  reforms  in  the  City  of  Chicago,  the  result  of  whose  actions  have 
made  underwriting  successful  in  the  city  since.  At  present  he  is  a member  of  the 
Union  League  Club,  Kenwood  Club,  Treasurer  of  the  Illinois  Commanderv  Naval  Order 
of  the  United  States,  member  of  the  Congregational  Clul),  and  Director  in  the  MTstern 
State  Hank,  and  Adjutant-General  of  the  Illinois  Naval  Militia  with  rank  of  Lieutenant 
Commander. 

Mr.  Critchell  was  married  at  St.  Louis,  in  1866,  to  Miss  M.  A.  Moodey,  daughter 
of  judge  iMoodey  of  that  cit)-,  and  they  have  tour  children,  one  of  whom.  Robert  M.. 
is  in  partnership  with  his  father. 


RUDOLPH  II.  GARRIGUE 


Manager  of  the  Western  Department  of  the  Merchants’  Insurance  Company  of 
Newark,  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  New  York,  on  February  19,  1857,  just  at  the  time  when 
his  father,  Mr.  Rudolph  Garrigue,  was  taking  the  preliminary  steps  in  organizing  the 
Germania  Fire  Insurance  Company  of  New  York,  thus  being  actually  born  in  an  insur- 
ance atmosphere.  After  receiving  an  education  in  the  common  schools  and  Packards’ 
Business  College  of  New  York  Cit}',  Mr.  Garrigue,  while  in  his  seventeenth  year, 
entered  the  fire  insurance  business  in  the  office  of  the  New  ^’ork  Underwriters’  Agency, 
then  composed  of  the  Germania  and  Hanover  Fire  Insurance  companies,  under  the 
management  of  Alexander  Stoddart,  General  Agent.  Starting  as  office  boy,  he  worked 
his  way  through  all  the  desks  of  a general  office,  and  in  January,  1877,  was  promoted 
to  the  position  of  Special  Agent  and  assigned  as  assistant  to  Geo.  D.  Gould,  State 
Agent  for  Illinois,  Iowa  and  Nebraska.  In  October,  1879,  he  was  transferred  to  assist 
Captain  Merwin  F.  Collier,  State  Agent  for  Indiana  and  Micldgan.  On  February  19, 
1881,  on  his  twenty-fourth  birthda}',  Mr.  (iarrigue  married  Miss  Lida  M.  Collier,  the 
beautiful  and  accomplished  daughter  of  Captain  Collier.  Among  his  wedding  presents  was 
a promotion  to  the  position  of  State  Agent  for  Michigan  for  the  New  York  Under- 
writers' Agency.  Soon  after,  owing  to  the  failing  health  of  Captain  Collier,  IMr.  Garrigue 
had  full  charge  of  the  States  of  Michigan  and  Indiana,  with  two  assistants,  until  Sep- 
tember I,  1883,  when  he  resigned  this  jxvsition  to  accept  the  position  of  Assistant 
M anager  of  the  Western  Department  of  the  Germania,  which  company  retired  from  the 
New  York  Underwriters’  Agency  on  January  i,  1884. 

On  August  31,  1894,  being  the  twenty-hrst  anniversary  of  his  connection  with  the 
Germania,  Mr.  Garrigue  resigned  his  ]X)sition  as  Assistant  Manager,  and  a few  months 
later  was  ajipointed  Manager  of  the  Western  Department  of  “The  Merchants'  of  Newark,” 
since  which  he  has  thoroughly  reorganized  that  department,  putting  it  on  a handsome 
paving  basis. 

Mr.  (jarrigue’s  greatest  forte  is  the  making  warm  personal  friends  of  most  of  his 
business  associates,  and,  having  once  secured  their  conhdence,  in  always  retaining  it. 
He  l)elieves  in  the  “human-nature  element”  in  controlling  men,  and,  like  all  graduates 
of  the  Alexander  Stoddart  School,  is  a great  succes.s  as  a manager. 

He  ccmies  from  sturdy  stock.  His  father  was  a Dane  and  his  mother  was  one  of 
the  early  children  of  Chicago,  having  married  there  in  1847,  in  the  famous  Ogden  resi- 
dence, the  only  house  that  escaped  the  big  Chicago  hre  of  1871.  Mr.  Garrigue  is  one 
of  eleven  children,  and  it  is  said  there  is  not  a lazy  bone  in  the  whole  family. 

Mr.  Garrigue  is  proud  of  having  worked  by  successive  steps  from  the  lowest  round 
of  the  ladder  to  his  present  position,  against  many  obstacles  of  a discouraging  nature. 
There  being  nothing  l)y  way  of  request  or  command  that  he  can  make  in  his  official 
capacity  that  he  has  not  had  to  obey  from  others,  and  “knowing  how  it  is  himself,”  is 
always  courteous  and  in  full  sympathy  with  those  under  his  control,  thus  winning  their 
respect  and  best  efforts. 


GENERAL  WILLIAM  T.  BARTON 

l‘KKSII)KXr  OF  THE  MKRCIlAXrs’  INSURANCE  COMPANV  OF  PROVIDENCE. 

General  William  T.  Barton  was  born  in  Warren,  R.  I.,  in  the  early  part  of  the 
present  century.  His  father  was  Captain  Alfred  Barton  and  his  mother  was  IMargaret 
Clay  Turner,  both  of  Warren,  R.  I. 


150 


THE  UNDERWRITE  R. 


IT)  2 


lie  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  town,  and  early  in  life  bef^an 
his  business  career,  learning  the  carpenter's  trade,  but  soon  turned  to  a seafaring  life. 
He  followed  the  sea  for  a number  of  years,  and  while  hrst  ofhcer  of  the  ship  “Frances” 
decided  to  retire  from  the  mariner’s  calling  and  took  up  a mercantile  business  l"n  his 
native  town,  which  he  conducted  successfully  until  about  1859,  when,  owing  to  the 
death  of  his  wife,  he  removed  from  Warren  and  later  took  up  his  residence  in  Providence. 

Wdiile  a resident  of  Warren  he  was  honored  by  his  fellow-citizens  with  the  chief 
ofhce  in  the  Town  Council,  also  acted  as  Judge  of  the  Ih'obate  Court,  and,  as  a mem- 
ber of  the  Warren  Artillery  Company,  rose  to  the  rank  of  Colonel,  receiving  his  training 
in  military  alfairs  from  Major  John  K.  \unton,  of  the  United  States  Army. 

lie  twice  received  the  commission  of  Brigadier-Ceneral,  and  once  that  of  Major- 
General,  from  governors  of  the  State. 

At  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War  he  devoted  two  years,  without  compensation, 
to  the  drilling  and  forwarding  of  troops  to  the  front. 

Wdi  en  the  internal  revenue  system  adopted  by  the  government  was  put  into  force 
he  took  the  position  of  Chief  Clerk  for  his  district. 

Ilis  experience,  resulting  from  the  many  departments  of  business  with  which  lie 
came  in  contact  in  the  revenue  ofhce,  proved  a preparation  for  the  insurance  business, 
into  which  he  came  as  President  of  the  Hope  Insurance  Company  in  1868. 

d'he  Chicago  fire  compelled  the  Hope  Insurance  Comjiany  to  wind  up  in  1871, 
and  111  the  following  year,  after  adjusting  the  Chicago  losses  in  which  his  company  was 
involved,  he  was  called  upon  to  do  the  same  duty  for  The  Merchants’  Insurance  Com- 
}iany  in  the  ITiston  hre,  which  occurred  in  November,  1872,  and  adjusted  the  losses  b\- 
that  conflagration  for  the  Merchants’,  exceeding  in  amount  the  entire  capital  of  that 
company,  which  were  promptly  met  and  paid  without  interrujition  of  its  business. 

Subse(|uently  he  was  appointed  General  Agent  of  the  Merchants’,  in  which  capacity 
he  continued  until  1878. 

At  that  time  the  Merchants'  Insurance  Company  passed  through  the  unusual  expe- 
rience of  coincidently  losing  both  its  Ih'esident  and  Secretary  by  death.  The  vacant 
offices  of  President  and  Secretary  were  filled  by  the  appointment  of  General  Barton  as 
President  and  William  P.  Goodwin  as  Secretary,  who  have  continued  in  office  to  the 
present  time. 

Since  then  the  officers  of  the  Merchants'  have  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  a 
continued  increase  in  assets  and  surplus,  until  at  the  present  time  the  funds  of  the 
company  are  larger  than  ever  before  in  its  nearly  half  century  of  uninterrupted  existence. 

Shortlv  after  becoming  I’resident  of  the  Merchants’  he  largely  extended  the  com- 
pany's field  of  operation  by  entering  into  association  with  The  K(|uital)le  Fire  and  Marine 
Insurance  Comjxiny  and  forming  d'he  Rhode  Island  Underwriters'  Association,  for  the 
}Hupose  of  extending  business  into  the  Western  States,  thereby  covering  territory  for 
his  company  extending  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific. 

FRANK  H.  WHITNFY 

SKCRKTARV  I'lIE  MIC.IIKiAX  MRK  AXI)  MARIXK  IXSURAXCK  COMI'AXV. 

The  young  man  of  the  }reriod  who  is  determined  on  “getting  on"  has  reason  to 
take  courage.  Many  of  the  recent  important  ai^pointments  in  fire  insurance  have  gone 
to  young  men.  Mr.  Frank  11.  Whitney  affords  an  illustration  of  this  trend.  He  is 


9 


T H R U N D E R W R 1 T E R. 


154 

familiar  with  all  branches  of  fire  insurance,  is  one  of  the  ablest  underwriters  in  Michifjan, 
and  is  well  equipped  for  the  work  before  him.  Since  the  year  1892  he  has  filled  the 
important  position  of  Secretary  of  the  Michigan  Fire  and  Marine  Insurance  Company, 
and  with  his  store  of  knowledge,  gleaned  from  the  field  of  active  practice,  he  finds  it 
comparatively  easy  to  execute  to  the  best  advantage  all  the  duties  pertaining  to  his 
office. 

Mr.  Whitney  was  born  in  Oakland  County,  Michigan,  in  1858,  but  when  but  a lad 
moved  with  his  parents  to  Battle  Creek.  There  he  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools,  and  when  nineteen  years  old  entered  the  local  fire  insurance  business  and  was 
thus  occuj:)ied  until  1880.  At  that  date  he  was  ajipointed  to  a position  in  the  home 
office  of  the  Detroit  Fire  and  Marine  Insurance  Com})any.  Three  years  later  he  was 
appointed  State  Agent  of  the  Western  .Vssurance  Company  of  Toronto,  for  Michigan, 
held  that  position  until  the  following  year,  and  then  accepted  the  s}:iecial  agencv  of 
the  Hartford  for  the  same  field. 

In  1890  he  entered  the  service  of  the  Michigan  Fire  and  Marine  as  Special  Agent, 
and  remained  in  that  capacit}'  until  he  was  elected  to  his  present  position.  Having  all 
the  necessary  exj'ierience  in  all  the  various  departments  of  the  work  of  fire  insurance, 
Mr.  W’hitney  is  essentially  practical  in  all  his  ideas  relative  to  it.  Aside  from  the 
duties  pertaining  to  the  underwriting  of  the  company,  he  has  general  and  personal 
supervision  of  the  ^Michigan’s  investments,  as  well  as  conducts  one  of  the  largest  and 
most  prohtable  local  agencies  in  the  city  of  Detroit.  In  his  agency  he  has  the  Grand 
Rapids,  Insurance  Company  of  North  America,  and  Philadelphia  Underwriters,  North 
British  and  Mercantile,  Liverpool  and  London  and  Globe,  and  Hartford  and  Prov- 
idence-Washington.  He  controls  many  of  the  largest  lines  in  that  territory. 

The  Michigan  P'ire  and  Marine  Insurance  Ct)mpany  was  organized  in  1881  with 
a capital  of  $200,000,  which  has  since  been  increased  to  $400,000.  On  January  i,  1896,  the 
company  put  out  its  annual  statement  showing  $786,605.77  in  assets,  a gain  of  $26,710.88 
over  the  year  previous.  The  net  surplus  now  amounts  to  $145,110.10,  a gain  of 

$34,  144.  15  over  January  i,  1895.  Secretary  Whitney  has  been  instrumental  to  a large 
measure  in  bringing  about  these  excellent  results. 


G.  L.  CRANDALL 


MANAGER  SOUTHERN  I )E  PARl'M  ENT  OE  THE  MIEWAUKEE  MECHANICS’  INSURANCE  COMPANY. 

G.  L.  Crandall,  IManager  Southern  Dejiartment  of  the  Milwaukee  Mechanics’ 
Insurance  Comjiany  of  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  and  the  Home  Life  Insurance  Company 
of  New  York,  was  born  in  iMorton,  Tazewell  County,  Illinois.  In  1881  he  embarked  in 
the  hre  insurance  business  in  the  Northwest,  first  as  farm  solicitor,  afterward  as  Special 
agent,  and  in  1888,  impelled  by  his  ambition  to  constantly  make  advancement,  in 
order  to  familiarize  himself  with  a larger  held,  he  made  a trip  through  the  Southern 
States.  The  natural  resources  of  this  section  of  the  country,  together  with  its  delightful 
climate,  impressed  him  with  the  convicticm  that  the  South  would  develoji  very  speedily 
and  become  one  of  the  richest  parts  of  the  Ibiited  States. 

The  following  year  he  located  in  New  Orleans,  where  he  afterward  opened  the 
Southern  Department  of  the  Milwaukee  Mechanics’  Insurance  Company.  In  1893  Mr. 
Crandall  was  appointed  Southern  Manager  of  the  Home  Life  Insurance  Company  of 


T HE  UNDERWRITE  R. 


ir)() 

New  York.  Though  having  had  very  little  experience  in  the  life  insurance  business, 
his  previous  experience  in  organizing  and  selecting  agents,  together  with  his  untiring 
energy  and  close  attention  to  business,  has  enabled  him  to  make  his  department  one  of 
the  most  important  within  control  of  the  Home  office.  His  success  is  what  would  be 
expected  by  those  who  know  him  in  a business  and  social  way.  He  has  fulhlled  the 
old  proverl)  in  having  achieved  success  by  deserving  it. 


RUDOLPH  A.  LOEWENTHAL 

PRESIDENT  OE  THE  MUTUAE  FIRE  INSURANCE  COMPANY  OE  NEW'  YORK. 

Rudolph  A.  Loewenthal  w^as  born  in  Hamburg,  September  14,  1853,  and  comes  of 
an  old  and  distinguished  German  family.  He  removed  to  this  countr}’  w'ith  his  parents 
in  1865,  locating  in  the  West,  and  early  developed  those  traits  wdiich  have  since  w'on 
for  him  a successful  career. 

After  the  Chicago  hre  of  1871,  seriously  affecting  as  it  did  his  family  fortunes, 
Mr.  I ^oewenthal  removed  to  New  York  City  and  entered  into  active  business,  connecting 
himself  wdth  the  rubber  trade.  For  many  years  thereafter  he  was  both  a manufacturer 
and  importer,  assuming  a prominent  position  in  the  commercial  wmrld,  not  only  in  this 
country,  but  also  in  England  and  throughout  the  -continent.  He  planned  and  carried 
into  successful  operation  the  Rubber  Association,  composed  of  leading  rubber  manu- 
facturers, becoming  its  hrst  Treasurer  and  General  IManager.  Owhng  to  the  lar^e 
insurable  interests  represented  by  him,  the  subject  of  hre  insurance  had  his  attention 
and  he  devoted  to  it  that  careful  study  and  thorough  investigation  which  characterized 
his  w'ork  in  other  directions.  His  hrst  connection  wn'th  the  insurance  business  w'as  that 
of  a stockholder  in  the  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company  of  New'  York;  in  1888  he  w-as 
elected  a trustee  of  that  company,  hie  took  a prominent  position  in  the  councils  of 
the  board,  particularly  in  all  matters  affecting  the  hnancial  condition  of  the  compaii}-. 
He  has  enjoyed  to  an  exceptional  degree  the  conhdence  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  the 
membership  of  which  has  always  been  composed  of  leading  merchants  and  manufacturers, 
who  have  given  to  the  company  not  alone  their  hnancial  support,  but  also  their  time 
and  personal  service. 

When  a reorganization  of  the  official  and  business  management  was  found  necessary, 
Mr.  Lowenthal  was  unanimously  elected  Piesident  of  the  compan}-.  He  assumed  that 
position  on  November  8,  1894,  has  hlled  the  place  wdth  decided  success,  taking 

an  active  part  in  the  conduct  of  its  affairs  in  all  branches,  and  adding  to  the  reputation 
of  the  company  as  a hnancially  strong  and  substantial  institution. 

During  one  of  his  visits  to  Germany  he  met  the  lady  w’ho  afterward  became  his 
wife.  He  is  at  present  living  wdth  his  family  in  New'  York  City,  and  is  actively 
concerned  in  all  that  tends  to  promote  the  best  interests  of  the  Metropolis.  His 
connection  wdth  many  charitalile  institutions  affords  abundant  opportunity  for  practical 
expression  of  a sympathetic  nature.  He  is  a member  of  the  Society  of  Ethical  Culture 
and  of  many  of  the  leading  clubs;  he  is  an  American  in  thought  and  feeling,  and  a 
sturdy  supjiorter  of  Republican  institutions  in  the  best  sense  of  that  term. 


WILLIAM  A.  FRANCIS 


SFXRETARY  OF  TFfF  MUTUAL  FIRE  INSURA^'CF  COMPANY  OF  NEW  YORK. 

Will  iam  A.  Francis  was  liorn  in  New  York  City,  January  13,  1855.  His  first 
connection  with  the  business  of  hre  insurance  was  in  1872,  in  the  New  York  office  of 
the  Liverpool  and  London  and  Globe  Insurance  Company,  where  he  was  engaged  as  junior 
clerk.  He  subsequently  entered  the  held  service  for  the  same  company,  and  for  several 
years  was  Special  Agent  and  Adjuster  in  various  localities.  In  1887  he  entered  the 
service  of  the  North  British  and  Mercantile  Insurance  Company,  and  became  Assistant 
Manager  of  the  United  States  branch  in  1889.  His  duties  entailed  the  general  super- 
vision of  business  over  the  United  States,  and  he  is  well  known  in  every  locality.  In 
December,  1894,  I''®  elected  Secretary  of  the  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company,  of 
New  York,  and  to  his  wide  experience  and  untiring  energy  are  due,  to  a large  degree, 
the  present  strong  position  of  the  company  and  the  respect  and  conhdence  it  enjoys  in 
business  circles. 

Mr.  Francis  is  living  at  Montclair,  New  Jersey,  in  the  Orange  Mountains,  and 
is  particularly  happy  in  his  family  life.  He  married  in  1879,  and  has  four  children. 

GEORGE  McMICKING  HARVEY 

GFNFRAL  AGENT  WESTERN  DEPARTMENT  MUTUAL  FIRE  OF  NEW  YORK  (a  STOCK  CORPORATION). 

There  are  few  branches  of  business  in  which  the  march  of  time  has  wrought  such 
veritable  revolutions  as  in  fire  insurance,  Its  introduction  into  the  business  world  was 
the  assurance  of  safetv  and  has  proved  an  inestimable  boon  to  countless  millions.  Many 
homes  and  businesses  have  been  established  by  the  insurance  companies  over  the 
wrecks  caused  by  fire.  Many  fortunes  have  been  restored  by  these  companies. 

The  insurance  agent  should  be  specially  recognized  in  this  beneficial  work.  It  is 
he  who  brings  to  the  notice  of  the  unthinking  property  owner  the  duty  he  owes  himself, 
when  he  urges  insurance,  and,  like  the  preacher  in  the  wilderness,  he  calls  on  everyone 
to  lie  converted  to  the  insurance  man's  ideas.  Self-interest  urges  him  to  write  policies, 
but  back  of  this  interest  is  true  philanthropy.  Prominent  among  able,  efficient  and 
capable  underwriters  stands  the  name  of  George  McMicking  Harvey,  General  Agent  of 
the  Western  Department  of  the  Mutual  Fire  (a  stock  corporation)  of  New  York. 

Mr.  Harvey  was  born  at  Niagara-on-the-Eake,  April  28,  1848.  His  parents  were 
James  and  Janet  Harvey.  The  father  was  born  at  Plymouth,  Ivngland,  and  was  b}' 
profession  a chemist.  When  about  twenty-two  years  old  he  came  to  America  and  settled 
in  the  town  of  Niagara-on-the-Eake.  The  mother  was  a native  of  Scotland,  born  at  Kil- 
marnock, but  when  about  seven  years  old  with  her  parents  crossed  the  ocean  to  this 
country.  I'hey  settled  in  (3range,  New  Jersey,  and  later  she  attended  a young  ladies' 
seminary  at  Buffalo,  New  York,  graduating  from  the  same  when  about  eighteen  years  old. 

George  M.  Harvey  received  his  education  at  Niagara,  in  Phillips  Academy,  and 
subsequently  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years  went  to  Buffalo,  New  York,  where  he  entered 
the  insurance  office  of  Round  A Hall,  'bhere  he  remained  until  1870,  when  he  turned 
his  face  Westward  and  came  to  Chicago,  engaging  with  the  firm  of  S.  M.  kloore  A 
Company.  About  fourteen  years  ago,  or  in  1882,  he  commenced  business  under  the  name 
of  George  M.  Harvey  A Conqiany,  and  that  has  continued  up  to  the  jn'esent  time. 


1(30 


THE  UNDER  W R I T E R. 


He  has  devoted  his  life  thus  far  to  insurance,  never  having  been  engaged  in  any  other 
business. 

Mr.  Harvey  is  a member  of  the  Chicago  i\thletic  and  North  Shore  clubs.  He  is 
a man  of  pleasing  address  and  one  who  makes  many  friends.  He  was  brought  up  in 
the  Protestant  E}hscopal  faith  and  still  holds  membership  in  that  church.  In  politics 
he  is  and  has  always  been  a Republican.  He  was  married  on  the  19th  of  October, 
1886,  to  Miss  Lucy  Dale  Halsted,  a native  of  Chicago  and  of  English  parentage.  They 
have  three  children,  two  sons  and  a daughter,  and  reside  at  36  Stratford  Place,  Lake 
\hew,  Chicago. 


THE  NATIONAL  EIRE  INSURANCE  COMPANY,  OE  HARTEORD. 

The  National  Eire  Insurance  Company,  of  Hartford,  Connecticut,  was  granted  a fire 
and  marine  charter  June  14,  1869,  by  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  Connecticut, 
but  no  proceedings  were  taken  under  it  till  after  the  Chicago  fire,  which  destroyed  six 
of  the  nine  hre-insurance  companies  doing  a general  business  in  Hartford.  Part  of  the 
original  corporators  then  opened  subscriptions,  but,  before  completing  them,  transferred 
the  control  and  right  of  organization  to  the  executive  of  the  IMerchants’  Insurance 
Company,  one  of  those  rendered  insolvent  by  the  fire — dating  from  1857.  The  National 
was  organized  November  27,  1871,  with  #200,000  capital,  at  once  raised  to  #500,000 
— the  charter  permitting  #1,000,000 — and  a directorate  chiefly  from  the  Merchants’ 
board,  with  some  from  the  National  subscribers.  Mark  Howard  was  elected  President 
and  James  Nichols  Secretary,  as  they  had  been  of  the  Merchants’.  It  was  voted  to 
do  only  fire  insurance,  and  business  was  begun  the  next  day,  November  28,  most  of 
the  Merchants’  agency  force  being  secured  for  the  new  company.  A prosperous  year 
followed,  but  the  Boston  Are  of  November  9-10,  1872,  which  involved  the  company  in 
#161,825  of  loss  payments,  caused  a technical  impairment  of  $150,000,  which  was 
made  good  December  20,  by  reducing  the  capital  to  #350,000,  and  voting  to  raise  it 
to  #500,000  by  new  subscriptions.  These  were  at  once  taken  up  almost  entirely  by 
the  existing  stockholders.  A stock  dividend  of  #100,000  in  1878  raised  the  capital  to 
$600,000,  and  the  fresh  subscriptions  in  1881  to  #1,000,000,  the  charter  maximum. 

President  Howard  died  January  24,  1887,  and  was  succeeded  by  the  Secretary, 
James  Nichols.  Shortly  after,  the  secretaryship  was  filled  by  Ellis  G.  Richards,  New 
England  General  Agent  of  the  Queen.  In  March,  1891,  an  Assistant  Secretary  was 
appointed — Benjamin  I\h  Stillman,  former  General  Agent  of  the  Springfield  Eire  and 
Marine. 

In  1888  a re-insurance  of  the  Washington  Eire  and  Marine  of  Boston  nearly  doubled 
its  business,  and  caused  the  creation  of  a Western  Department,  with  headquarters  at 
Ghicago,  Ered  S.  James  being  made  General  Agent  and  George  Mb  Blossom,  Assistant. 
iV  few  months  later  the  I’acific  Department  was  reconstituted,  with  George  D.  Dornin 
as  Manager,  assisted  later  by  his  son,  George  \\b  Dornin.  Several  other  important 
re-insurances  have  since  been  effected,  and  the  business  of  the  company  has  grown 
heavily,  indej^endent  of  them.  The  net  premium  receipts  have  increased  within  the 
decade  from  about  half  a million  to  nearly  two  and  a half  millions  yearly.  Since  its 
or‘uinization  it  has  received  over  #20,000,000  in  premiums,  and  paid  over  $10,000,000 
in  losses. 


T H E U N D E R W R I T E R. 


1()2 


In  September,  1893,  it  completed  and  occupied  one  of  the  handsomest  office 
buildings  in  Hartford. 

The  present  Board  of  Directors  is  ; James  Nichols,  President;  Homer  Blanchard, 
retired  wool  merchant  and  manufacturer;  James  Bolter,  President  Hartford  Bank; 
General  W’m.  B.  P'ranklin,  formerly  \hce-President  Colt's  P'ire  Arms  Company;  Frank 
W.  Cheney,  Treasurer  Cheney  Brothers,  silk  manufacturers;  John  R.  Buck,  attorney 
at  law  and  Ex-Congressman;  Jonathan  P\  Morris,  late  President  Charter  Oak  Bank; 
John  L.  Houston,  President  Hartford  Carpet  Company;  Henry  C.  Judd,  wool  mer- 
chant; Francis  T.  Maxwell,  wool  manufacturer;  Ellis  G.  Richards,  Secretary. 

The  annual  statement,  December  31,  1895,  discloses;  Assets — Real  estate  owned. 
$.'263,486;  loans  on  bond  and  mortgage  and  accrued  interest,  $701,661;  stocks  and 
bonds  owned,  $2,268,596;  cash  in  office  and  bank,  225,288;  premiums  in  course  of 
transmission,  $401,111;  aggregate  available  assets,  $3,860,142.  Liabilities — Unpaid 

losses  and  claims,  $321,792;  unearned  premiums,  $1,825,452;  total  liabilities,  except 
capital,  $2,146,944.  Capital  stock,  $1,000,000.  Surplus  above  all  liabilities,  $713,198. 


JAMES  NICHOLS 

T'RESIDENT  OF  THE  NATIONAL  FIRE  INSURANCE  COMPANY  OF  HARTFORD. 

Soldiers,  statesmen,  lawyers,  men  of  learning,  merchants,  bankers  and  masters  of 
success  in  the  varied  school  of  experience  in  the  world’s  affairs  have  all  contributed 
their  quota  to  the  establishment  of  the  insurance  business.  Many  sterling  and  admir- 
able qualities  helped  to  make  James  Nichols,  President  of  the  National  Eire  Insurance 
Company,  the  right  man  for  the  right  place.  The  exacting  duties  of  this  office  he  has 

discharged  with  marked  skill  and  ability,  and  his  broad  experience  and  legal  acumen 

have  been  of  great  service  toward  the  success  of  the  organization. 

James  Nichols  was  born  in  Weston,  P^airfield  County,  Connecticut,  December  25, 
1830,  removed  to  Newtown,  in  said  county,  with  his  parents,  when  about  five  years  of 
age,  where  he  remained  till  1854,  since  which  time  he  has  been  a resident  of  Hartford, 

Connecticut.  He  is  the  second  child  born  to  the  marriage  of  Isaac  and  Betsy  (Platt) 

Nichols,  and  the  grandson  of  James  Nichols,  who  was  a successful  farmer  of  the  Nutmeg 
State.  The  father  of  our  subject  also  followed  the  occupation  of  an  agriculturist. 

In  the  public  schools  of  Newtown  young  Nichols  received  a fair  education,  but 
from  early  youth  he  had  displayed  a great  liking  for  the  legal  profession,  and  most  of 
his  evenings  and  holidays  were  spent  in  gaining  a knowledge  of  law.  After  teaching 
school  until  he  had  attained  his  majority,  i\Ir.  Nichols  began  his  law  course  with  Amos 
S.  Treat,  a leading  lawyer  of  Danbury,  Connecticut,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at 
that  place  in  the  spring  of  1854.  In  April  he  located  at  Thompsonville  and  began 
practicing.  The  following  fall  he  was  appointed  Assistant  Clerk  of  the  Hartford  County 
Superior  Court,  and  removed  to  that  city,  where,  in  1856,  he  began  his  practice.  On 
the  first  Monday  of  April,  1862,  he  was  elected  Judge  of  Probate  for  the  Hartford 
District,  embracing  six  inqiortant  towns  besides  Hartford,  commencing  his  term  of  office 
the  first  of  July  following. 

Mr.  Nichols  was  the  first  Republican  Judge  who  had  held  that  position,  and  at 
the  end  of  a year  he  was  succeeded  by  a Democrat.  However,  at  the  end  of  another 
year  he  was  again  elected,  and  hlled  that  position  most  ably  until  July,  1866.  Mean- 


Massachusetts  Puhlishm^  Co.Everctt.Mass 


FIRE  AND  MARINE. 


108 


while,  al)()ut  i860,  he  had  entered  into  partnership  with  Julius  L.  Strong,  under  the 
firm  title  -of  Strong  & Nichols,  and  they  continued  together  until  i\Ir.  Nichols  left  the 
law  practice. 

In  the  fall  of  1866  he  was  made  Special  Agent  for  the  Merchants’  Insurance 
Company  of  Hartford,  succeeding  J.  M.  Allen,  now  Ih'esident  of  the  Hartford  Steam 
Boiler  Insurance  Company,  and  in  1867  he  was  made  General  Agent,  and  Secretary  in 
January,  1870. 

On  the  formation  of  the  National  Insurance  Company,  in  1871,  Mr.  Nichols 
became  Secretary,  and  after  the  death  of  President  Howard,  January  24,  1887,  he  was 
made  chief  executive  officer. 

The  National  Fire  Insurance  Company  was  organized  November  27,  1871,  by  the 
corporators  under  a charter  of  1869,  but  with  the  understanding  that  it  should  be 
operated  by  the  management  of  the  Merchants’  Insurance  Company,  which  had  to  sur- 
render its  charter  and  go  into  liankruptcy  on  account  of  the  Chicago  fire.  The  capital, 
$200,000,  was  at  once  raised  to  $500,000.  The  President  was  Mark  Howard  and  the 
Secretary  James  Nichols.  The  capital  of  the  National  was  raised  to  $600,000  in  1877 
and  to  $1,000,000  in  i88r.  This  company  has  re-insured  a number  of  other  companies, 
the  princijial  one  being  The  Washington  Fire  and  Marine  of  Boston. 

Mr.  Nichols  is  Vice-President  of  the  Charter  Oak  National  Bank;  Director  Phoenix 
Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company;  Director  Pratt  & Cady  Company;  Trustee  Society  for 
Savings,  the  largest  bank  of  the  kind  in  Connecticut;  and  is  a member  of  St.  John’s 
Lodge  of  Masons,  Hartford.  He  is  also  a member  of  the  Park  Congregational  Church. 
In  politics  he  is  a Republican.  Mr.  Nichols  was  married  July  9,  1861,  to  IMiss  Isabelle 
M.  Starkweather,  of  Hartford,  and  they  have  had  three  children,  one  now  living. 


FLLIS  GRAY  RICHARDS 

SKCKKIARY  OF  'I’lIK  NA'l'lONAl,  FIKK  INSURANCFI  COMI’ANV  OF  HARTFORD. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch,  Ellis  Gray  Richards,  was  born  in  MTrcester,  Massa- 
chusetts, December  16,  1848,  of  Puritan  and  Pilgrim  ancestry.  Young  Richards’  early 

life  was  spent  much  in  the  same  manner  as  numberless  other  youths,  although  without 
the  advantages  of  wealth  and  environment  with  which  many  are  favored. 

Graduated  from  the  schools  of  his  native  city,  he  commenced  a business  life  at 
the  age  of  seventeen  as  clerk  in  a large  iron-manufacturing  establishment,  becoming  at 
the  age  of  twenty-one  its  head  bookkeeper,  and  about  that  time  the  establishment  (a 
New  York  corporation)  was  removed  to  Passaic,  New  Jersey.  The  panic  of  1873,  which 
brought  distress  to  the  business  interests  of  the  entire  country,  affected  severelv  the 

o ^ ^ 

future  prospects  of  the  company,  and  he  foresaw  that  a change  would  soon  be  necessary 
if  further  business  progress  was  to  be  attained. 

Urged  by  friends  to  enter  the  insurance  business  even  as  early  as  1871  (in  the 
service  of  a Massachusetts  company),  such  a change  was  for  a long  time  seriously  con- 
sidered by  him,  but  it  was  not  until  February,  1874,  that  he  decided  to  leave  his  then 
position,  which  had  become  one  of  large  responsibility,  to  commence  again  at  the  bottom 
of  the  ladder  of  business  experience  by  entering  the  employ  of  the  Commercial  Pbiion 
.\ssurance  Company  as  clerk  in  its  Boston  office. 

Promotion  soon  followed,  and  again  in  Novemlier  of  the  same  year  further 


104 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


advancement  was  obtained  by  the  offer  and  acceptance  of  the  position  of  secretary  and 
surveyor  of  the  Worcester  County  Board  of  Underwriters  under  direction  of  the  National 
Board.  This  position  brought  valuable  experience  in  the  surveying  and  rating  of  fire 
hazards  and  led  to  further  promotion  by  his  employment  as  Special  Agent  of  the  Royal 
and  Pennsylvania  under  Foster  & Scull,  Managers,  in  May,  1877. 

Probably  no  office  in  New  England  offered  better  advantages  to  a young  and 
ambitious  special  for  the  acquirement  of  a diversified  knowledge  of  field  work  than  that 
of  Foster  & Scull’s,  and  young  Richards  carefully  improved  his  advantages. 

In  May,  1881,  he  accejited  the  position  offered  him  by  the  Queen  Insurance 
Company,  as  Special  Agent  for  the  same  field  with  greater  responsibilities  and  oppor- 
tunities for  advancement  in  the  business  of  fire  underwriting.  Under  the  guidance  of 
the  manager  of  the  company,  Mr.  James  A.  Macdonald,  one  of  the  ablest  underwriters 
of  the  country,  Mr.  Richards  passed  six  years  in  earnest  work  in  building  up  the  New 
England  business  of  the  Queen. 

In  the  organization  of  the  New  England  Insurance  Exchange,  which  occurred 
January  i,  1883,  Mr.  Richards  took  an  active  part,  and  during  the  remaining  years  of 
his  work  in  the  field  he  was  a studious  and  enthusiastic  participant  in  the  labors  of 
that  body,  wdiich  has  done  so  much  for  the  elevation  and  improvement  of  the  fire  under- 
writing business. 

The  death  of  Mark  Howard,  President  of  the  National  Eire  Insurance  Company, 
of  Hartford,  in  January,  1887,  was  followed  by  the  promotion  of  its  Secretary,  James 
Nichols,  to  the  presidency,  and  the  j)osition  of  secretary  thus  made  vacant  was  offered 
to  Mr.  Richards  in  the  following  April  and  accepted.  In  this  position  Mr.  Richards 
has  since  shared,  with  President  Nichols,  the  executive  work  of  that  company,  being 
also  elected  a Director  in  July,  1895. 

l\Ir.  Richards  was  married  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  and  his  home  is  made 
happy  by  a wife  and  one  daughter. 


BENJAMIN  RHODES  STILLMAN 

ASSISTANT  SECRKTARY  OF  THE  NATIONAL  EIRE  INSURANCE  COMPANY  OF  HARTFORD. 

Benjamin  Rhodes  Stillman,  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  National  Eire  Insurance 
Company  of  Hartford,  is  a thorough  and  skillful  underwriter,  and  one  whose  career  is 
worthy  of  emulation.  He  was  born  March  31,  1852,  at  Adams,  New  York.  His 
parents,  Benjamin  Eranklin  Stillman  and  Sarah  (Rhodes)  Stillman,  came  of  good  old 
New  England  stock,  their  ancestors  being  members  of  the  Roger  Williams  colony  and 
prominent  in  the  early  development  of  Rhode  Island. 

Benjamin  V.  Stillman  was  a successful  merchant  but  died  before  his  son  Benjamin 
was  nine  years  old,  leaving  him  in  the  care  of  his  mother,  who  was  a woman  of  great 
executive  ability  and  unusual  strength  of  character.  He  received  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  at  Oswego,  New  York,  and  prepared  for  Hamilton  College  at  the  Oswego 
High  School.  A prominent  citizen,  interested  in  educational  matters,  in  order  to  stim- 
ulate the  school  boys  to  study,  offered  to  start  that  student  in  business  who,  at  the 
graduation  examination,  received  the  highest  record.  Young  Stillman  was  the  successful 
one,  and,  hastily  abandoning  all  thoughts  of  college,  entered  the  general  business  office 
of  Mollison  A Hastings,  prominent  merchants  and  millers,  who  were  also  engaged  in 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


KT) 

the  forwarding  and  insurance  business.  In  due  course  of  time,  by  promotion,  Mr. 
Stillman's  whole  time  was  given  to  the  insurance  branch.  Seven  years  later  he  became 
connected  with  the  firm  of  Shepard  & Stillman,  but  this  firm  was  dissolved  after  three 
years  l)y  the  appointment  of  i\Ir.  Stillman  as  Special  Agent  of  the  Watertown  Fire 
Insurance  Company,  with  head(]uarters  in  New  ^’ork  City. 

Mr.  Stillman  served  three  years  as  Inspector  and  Adjuster  in  this  position, 
obtaining  a valuable  knowledge  of  the  business  in  Metropolitan  District,  and  was  then 
called  to  the  home  office  at  Watertown  in  general  field  work.  While  with  the  Water- 
town  he  traveled  extensively  throughout  all  the  ICistern,  Middle  and  Southern  States  and 
obtained  a general  knowledge  of  the  business  rarely  available  to  the  field  man,  and 
it  was  largely  due  to  this  experience  that  in  1884  he  was  appointed  General  Agent  of 
the  Springfield  Fire  and  Marine  Insurance  Company.  He  removed  to  Springfield, 
Massachusetts,  and  for  six  years  had  charge  of  the  home  office  field  work  of  that 
company. 

In  1890  Mr.  Stillman  resigned  to  accejit  a tempting  ofier  of  the  secretaryship  of 
the  Safety  Car-heating  and  Lighting  Company  of  New  York,  and  removed  to  that  city. 
At  the  end  of  a year  he  resigned  and  in  1891  accepted  his  present  position,  although 
his  resignation  was  not  accepted  until  some  time  later. 

In  1889  Mr.  Stillman  was  President  of  the  New  England  Insurance  Exchange, 
being  the  seventh  presiding  officer  of  that  body.  He  was  also  one  of  the  original 
trustees  and  incorporators  of  the  Insurance  Library  Association  of  Boston,  and  one  of 
the  organizers  of  the  New  England  Bureau  of  United  Inspection.  He  is  a member  of 
the  Protestant  Episcopal  church.  Although  not  a jiolitician,  he  is  an  ardent  Republican 
and  has  always  voted  with  that  party.  On  the  20th  of  October,  1880,  Mr.  Stillman 
married  Miss  Jennie  Louise  Whitney,  only  daughter  of  Hon.  Cyrus  Wdiitney,  of  Oswego, 
New  York,  a lineal  descendant  of  John  Wdiitney,  the  lYiritan,  who  settled  in  Watertown, 
Massachusetts,  in  1635,  was  himself  Judge  of  Oswego  County  until  retired  by 

reaching  the  age  limited  by  law.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stillman  have  one  daughter  living. 
Daisy  Gilbert,  now  thirteen  years  old.  The  only  son,  Cyrus  \Miitney,  died  of  scarlet 
fever  in  1894,  aged  ten  years. 

EKEDERICK  SINCLAIR  JAMES 

(;exp:kai.  western  ac;ent  oe  ihe  naitonal  eire  insurance  companv  oe  harteord. 

Erederick  S.  James,  General  Western  Agent  of  the  National  Fire,  and  confessedly 
one  of  the  best  all-around  fire  underwriters  in  the  West,  is  a product  of  the  Prairie 
State,  born  in  Cook  County,  in  the  townshij')  of  Barrington,  thirty  miles  from  the  city 
of  Chicago,  b'ebruary  20,  1849.  He  is  the  son  of  Colonel  William  and  Catherine  C. 
(Sinclair)  James,  early  settlers  of  Illinois  and  of  sturdy  Scotch  ancestry,  being  descended 
from  people  of  the  1 lighlands.  The  father  was  a warm  personal  friend  of  Abraham  Lincoln, 
and  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Whig  party.  When  Mr.  Lincoln  became  President  he 
was  ajrpointed  Provost  Marshal  by  him,  with  headcpiarters  at  Chicago.  He  was  also 
very  prominent  in  public  affairs  in  Chicago  and  Cook  County  for  many  years,  repre- 
senting his  district  in  the  Legislature  several  terms,  and  for  a time  was  fire  and  police 
commissioner  of  the  city. 

I'redcrick  S.  James  received  his  primary  education  in  the  public  schools,  and  later, 
when  twel\e  yixirs  old,  he  entered  the  High  School  of  Chicago.  His  connection  with 


THE  U N D E W R I T E R. 


1(‘)8 

the  insurance  business  began  when  he  was  fifteen  years  old,  when  he  entered  the  in- 
surance office  of  Alfred  James  & Company  (the  senior  member  of  which,  now  President 
of  the  Northwestern  National  Insurance  Company,  of  iMilwaukee,  l)eing  his  brother). 
In  four  or  five  years  he  had  worked  his  way  up  to  a membership  in  the  firm,  and  not 
long  after  the  great  Chicago  conflagration  began  business  on  his  own  account  as  local 
agent.  He  succeeded  to  a consideral)le  portion  of  his  brother’s  trade,  and  so  well  has 
he  managed  his  business  that  the  firm  of  Fred.  S.  James  & Company  is  now  one 
of  the  foremost  in  their  line  in  Chicago. 

For  many  years  Mr.  James  has  served  as  Ceneral  Western  Agent  of  strong  com- 
panies. He  was  Western  Manager  of  the  Fire  Insurance  Association,  of  London, 
Fngland,  for  several  years,  and  afterward  of  the  Boston  Underwriters,  until  the  Wash- 
ington Fire  and  Marine  withdrew  from  the  combination,  when  he  continued  as  its 
Ceneral  Western  Representative.  When  the  National  of  Hartford  reinsured  the  Western 
business  of  the  Washington,  he  continued  as  its  MAstern  General  Agent,  with  George 
W.  Blossom  as  Assistant,  a position  he  had  previously  occipfied  for  the  latter  company. 

Mr.  James  is  a man  of  unusual  business  acumen,  but  has  a most  affable  and 
genial  disposition.  Strong  and  honest  in  his  purpose,  generous  and  cjuick  in  his  sym- 
pathies, in  all  his  relations,  whether  in  business  or  society,  his  life  is  regulated  by  the 
highest  moral  standard.  Socially  he  is  a thirty-second  degree  Mason,  and  a member 
of  Cleveland  Lodge,  No.  2ii;  Washington  Chapter,  No.  43:  Chicago  Commandery, 
No.  19.  and  Oriental  Consistory. 

He  is  a prominent  member  of  the  Chicago  Club,  Chicago  Athletic  Association  and 
Illinois  Club.  In  jmlitics  he  advocates  the  principles  of  the  Republican  party.  Mr. 
James  takes  a deep  interest  in  all  pulfiic  cjuestions,  but  dislikes  politics  as  a profession. 
In  person  he  is  of  medium  height  and  has  a well  developed  physitjue. 


GFORGF  \M  BLOSSOM 

ASSIS'l'ANT  GEXKRAl,  AC'.ENT  ()E  NATIONAE  EIRE  INSURANCE  CoMI’ANV  OE  IIARTEORI). 

No  ]irofessional  or  commercial  jnirsuits  afford  better  opportunities  to  men  of 
ability  and  enterprise  than  those  embodied  in  fire  insurance,  a notable  example  of 
advancement  in  this  direction  being  illustrated  in  the  record  of  George  \\k  Blossom, 
.Vssistant  General  Agent  of  National  Fire  Insurance  Company  of  Hartford.  He  has  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  the  most  important  risks,  and  brings  to  bear  the  widest  range 
of  practical  experience.  He  is  a jiartner  in  the  firm  of  Fred  S.  James  & Company  of 
Chicago,  and  is  doing  a large  insurance  business. 

Mr.  Iflossom  is  a product  of  the  Hawkeye  State,  born  at  Dubuque,  Iowa,  (Utober 
I,  iSs4.  resident  of  Chicago,  Illinois,  where  he  has  made  his  home  for 

a number  of  years.  He  is  the  son  of  Alonzo  and  Frances  F.  Blossom.  Mr.  Blossom's 
educational  advantages  were  cjuite  good  during  youth,  for  he  attended  the  public  schools 
of  Dubmiue,  and  later  the  high  school,  where  he  received  thorough  training.  During 
his  boyhood  days-  he  went  to  the  country  and  spent  three  years  on  a farm,  gaining, 
in  addition  to  a fair  knowledge  of  the  duties  thereon,  a goodly  amount  of  health  and 
strength. 

After  leaving  school,  he  t(R)k  a position  as  clerk  in  a book  and  stationery  store 
at  Dulnupie,  because  he  was  anxious  to  commence  a business  career  and  saw  no 


170 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


other  chance.  There  he  remained  for  six  months,  and  then,  in  i\Iay,  1870,  when  only 
sixteen  years  old,  he  l)ecame  interested  in  insurance,  entering  a local  office  at  Dubuque, 

with  the  hrm  of  Smith  & Plaister.  The  members  of  this  firm  were  Iowa  State  Agents 

for  the  xTtna  Insurance  Company  of  Hartford,  and  he  remained  with  them  for  three 
years,  obtaining  in  that  time  a thorough  insight  into  the  business. 

In  the  month  of  September,  1873,  Mr.  Blossom  went  to  Chicago  and  obtained  a 
position  with  Eugene  Cary,  then  Manager  of  the  Imperial  of  London,  afterward  ^Manager 
of  the  German-American  Insurance  Company.  The  long  years  i\Ir.  Blossom  had 
devoted  to  the  insurance  business  were  fruitful  with  valuable  experience,  and  his  value 
soon  became  known  to  the  different  insurance  companies.  In  the  year  1884  he  was 

tendered  the  position  of  Assistant  to  Manager  A.  Williams,  then  organizing  the  Western 

Department  of  the  Connecticut  Fire  Insurance  Company,  and  continued  in  that 
capacity  for  three  years. 

In  the  year  1887  Mr.  Blossom  entered  the  firm  of  Fred  S.  James  & Company, 
Local  Agents  in  Chicago,  and  at  the  same  time  became  Assistant  General  Agent  of 
the  Washington  Fire  and  Marine  Insurance  Company  of  Boston,  under  Mr.  James. 
The  last  named  company  afterward  reinsured  in  the  National  of  Hartford,  and  Mr. 
Blossom  then  became  Assistant  General  Agent  of  that  company.  He  is  known  to  the 
fraternity  as  a wide-awake  insurance  man,  with  a great  capacity  for  hard  work,  and  no 
less  so  as  a refined  gentleman,  endowed  \vith  pleasing  social  qualities. 

Socially  Mr.  Blossom  is  a member  of  the  Union  League  Club,  the  Kenwood 
Club,  the  Hyde  Park  Club,  the  Kenwood  Country  Club,  and  is  a genial  companion  with 
a host  of  warm  friends.  In  his  political  views  he  upholds  the  jfiatform  of  the  Republican 
party,  and  has  always  advocated  its  principles.  He  selected  his  wife  in  the  person  of 
Miss  Carrie  R.  Boardman,  and  their  union  was  celebrated  on  the  26th  of  September, 
1889.  Two  children,  both  boys,  have  blessed  this  union. 


CHARLES  RICHARDSON 

SKCONI)  ASSISTANT  GENKRAL  AGEN'l'  OF  NAITONAE  FIRE  INSURANCE  CO.MPANV  OF  HARTFORD. 

Special  adaptability  to  any  particular  work  in  life  is  the  one  necessary  adjunct  to 
success.  Charles  Richardson,  Second  Assistant  General  Agent  of  the  National  Lire 
Insurance  Company,  is  a man  who  would  convince  the  most  careful  critic  that  he  has 
made  no  mistake  in  his  chosen  calling,  that  his  lines  have  fallen  in  suitable  places  and 
that  he  is  a man  of  great  versatility,  untiring  energy  and  unswerving  integrity. 

Mr.  Richardson  is  a native  of  the  Hoosier  State,  was  born  near  Columbus,  and 
reared  on  a farm.  His  birth  occurred  July  19,  1853,  to  the  marriage  of  Garah  'SI. 
Richardson  and  Lucy  Cutler  Richardson.  The  father  was  a successful  agriculturist  and 
a man  of  strict  integrity  and  uprightness.  In  the  public  schools  of  St.  Joseph  and 
Marshall  counties  Charles  Richardson  received  a good  practical  education,  and  after  a 
regular  course  of  four  years  graduated  from  the  Indiana  University  in  1877,  with  one 
of  the  honors  of  the  class.  His  early  tastes  and  habits  were  those  common  to  student 
life,  but  later  he  developed  a taste  for  the  legal  profession  and  first  decided  on  that  as 
his  calling  in  life. 

.\fter  leaving  the  university  Mr.  Richardson  taught  school  for  a year  and  subse- 
quently entered  the  law  office  of  Judge  A.  C.  Capron  at  Plymouth,  Indiana,  where  he 


172 


T i-i  I-:  I'  X D p:  r w r i t e r. 


j^ursLied  his  studies  for  some  time.  Judge  Capron  represented  several  fire  insurance 
companies,  and  it  was  part  ot  Mr.  Richardson’s  duties  to  look  after  that  part  of  the 

office  work,  and  he  soon  became  familiar  with  the  insurance  business.  In  1880  he 

became  a partner  in  the  law  and  insurance  business  with  his  preceptor,  and  they  were 
associated  together  until  the  early  part  of  1883. 

In  April  of  that  year  he  accepted  the  position  of  .Special  Agent  of  the  Franklin 
Insurance  Company  of  Indianapolis,  and  in  January,  1884,  his  real  worth  becoming 
apparent,  he  was  asked  to  accept  a similar  position  with  the  Firemen’s  Insurance  Com- 
j)any  of  Dayton,  Ohio.  This  he  accepted  and  took  uj)  his  heachpiarters  at  Chicago, 
being,  in  addition  to  Special  Agent,  Adjuster  for  the  company.  It  was  during  the 
ensuing  four  years  as  Inspector  of  Risks,  as  Sj)ecial  Agent  and  Adjuster,  that  an 
acquaintance  was  made  with  agents  and  the  business  in  Ohio,  Indiana,  INIichigan, 
Illinois  and  Wisconsin,  which  lu'oved  of  inestimable  value  to  Mr.  Richardson  in  his 
subsecpient  work. 

Early  in  the  year  1888  the  office  of  Secretary  of  the  Firemen's  Insurance  Com- 
jmny  became  vacant,  and  by  unanimous  vote  of  the  Board  of  Directors  Mr.  Richardson 
was  called  to  fill  that  iiosition.  The  duties  of  this  office  he  discharged  in  a most  sat- 
isfactory manner  until  1892,  when  the  business  of  that  comjiany  was  reinsured  by  the 

National  Fire  Insurance  Company  of  Hartford.'  Although  the  last  four  years  of  the 

life  of  the  “Firemen’s”  were  hard  ones  for  fire  insurance  generally,  the  company  pros- 
pered hnancially,  paid  regular  dividends  to  its  stockholders,  and  at  the  time  of  retiring 
this  company  had  nearly  three  times  as  much  surplus  as  it  had  when  Mr.  Richardson 
first  took  hold  as  Secretary  and  Manager.  Since  January,  1892,  he  has  been  with  the 
National  Fire  Insurance  Company,  and  has  become  associated  with  h’red  S.  James, 
General  Western  Agent  in  this  city,  in  the  capacity  above  named,  and  is  doing  most 
efficient  work. 

Socially  Mr.  Richardson  is  a member  of  the  Sigma  Chi  College  Fraternitv: 
M asonic  bodies — Knights  Templar,  Scottish  Rite,  Thirty-second  Degree  Mason,  and  mem- 
lier  Medina  Temple  Mystic  Shrine.  In  the  month  of  January,  1888,  Mr.  Richardson  mar- 
ried Miss  Maud  Lecklider,  daughter  of  Dr.  L.  G.  Lecklider,  of  Greenville,  Ohio.  Two 
interesting  children  have  been  born  to  this  marriage,  Lucy  and  Robert.  At  the  ju'esent 
time  he  resides  at  2141  Jackson  Boulevard,  Chicago. 


GEORGE  D.  DORNTN 

MANAOKR  OK  I'llK  NATIONAL  FIRE  INSURANCE  COMPANY  OF  HARTFORD  AND  SPRINGFIELD  FIRK 
AND  MARINE  INSURANCE  COMPANY  OF  SPRINGFIELD,  MASSACHUSETTS. 

The  history  of  this  country  is  filled  with  the  deeds  and  doings  of  self-made  men,  and 
jM'ominent  among  them  is  George  D.  Dornin,  Manager  of  the  Pacific  Department  of 
National  Eire  Insurance  Company  of  Hartford,  and  Springheld  Eire  and  IMarine 
Insurance  Comjiany  of  Springheld,  Massachusetts,  who,  marking  out  his  career  in  youth, 
grasped  all  opj^ortunities  for  bettering  his  hnancial  and  social  condition,  and  as  a result 
is  now  on  a smooth  sea  and  floating  with  a prosjierous  tide.  Mr.  Dornin  is  a natiYe 
of  New  'f'ork  City,  liorn  December  30,  1830,  and  is  now  residing  at  “Oakmead,  ” 
h'ulton,  Sonoma  County,  California. 

Young  Dornin  early  eYinced  a strong  liking  for  study  and  made  such  good  use  of 


174 


T ?I  E LI  N 14  E R W RITE  R. 


his  time  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  place  that  he  was  far  ahead  of  his  classes 
when  thirteen  years  old.  He  then  left  school  to  l)ecome  office  boy  for  a Wall  street 
broker,  but  his  parents  expected  that  he  would  return  to  school  after  a year  or  so  of 
business  experience.  The  opportunity  never  came  and  the  Wall  street  broker’s  office 
was  changed  for  a position  as  clerk  in  the  house  of  Joseph  Dupre  & Company,  importers 
of  French  goods,  where  I\Ir.  Dornin  remained  two  years. 

In  the  fall  of  i.SgS,  while  holding  that  position,  the  news  of  the  discovery  of  gold 
in  California  reached  the  Atlantic  cities.  The  natural  impulsiveness  of  a boy  of  eighteen 
to  see  the  world  was  augmented  by  the  possibility  of  great  wealth  to  be  had  for  the 
digging,  and  as  a consecjuence  young  Dornin  joined  the  “argonauts”  in  search  of  the 
modern  “golden  heece.”  On  the  3d  of  hTbruary,  1849,  he  embarked  on  the  ship 
“Panama,”  commanded- by  Captain  P.  J.  Dodfish,  and  started  on  the  long  trip  around 
the  “Horn.”  In  those  days  “anything  which  could  float”  was  put  upon  the  sea  to 
undertake  this  voyage.  Shijis  were  purchased  and  fitted  out  by  mining  companies,  or 
chartered  for  the  voyage  out  and  back.  Stocks  of  merchandise,  with  ready-made  houses 
and  store  buildings,  furnished  the  miscellaneous  cargo  of  many  of  these  vessels. 

There  were  two  hundred  and  three  souls  constituting  the  passenger  list  of  the 
“Iffinama,  ’ and  of  these  four  were  women.  The  voyage  was  not  particularly  eventful, 
the  usual  stormy  “doubling  the  cape”  and  three  weeks  of  waiting  in  the  port  of 
Talcahuano,  Chili,  being  the  only  features  to  break  the  monotony.  On  the  8th  of 
August,  1849,  after  a voyage  of  i86  days,  the  vessel  reached  San  Francisco,  and  young 
Dornin  stepped  ashore  without  a dollar,  what  little  money  he  had  left  after  paying  his 
passage  l)eing  invested  in  Chili,  in  part  to  replenish  a rather  scanty  provision  list. 
There  were  many  others  in  the  same  condition. 

San  Francisco  was  then  in  an  embryotic  condition.  Tents  were  used  for  dwellings 
and  the  sand  hills  which  flanked  the  cove,  upon  which  the  future  great  city  was  built, 
were  utilized  for  all  sorts  of  avocations.  Lumber  at  $300  or  $400  per  thousand  feet, 
and  carpenter  wages  at  $16  per  day,  precluded  the  lavish  use  of  expensive  buildings. 
The  paramount  object  with  all  was  to  get  to  the  mines.  Without  a trade  or  a profession, 
young  Dornin  earned  his  first  money  by  painting  a wagon,  receiving  five  dollars  in  gold 

dust  for  this  work.  He  was  very  glad  to  get  it,  as  it  pointed  the  way  to  earn  a 

livelihood  as  a sign  painter.  The  early  advent  of  the  severe  rainy  season  of  1849 
brought  reports  of  discomfort  and  destitution  from  the  mines,  and  Mr.  Dornin  postponed 
his  trip  to  that  charmed  section  until  spring. 

One  day  he  met  in  the  streets  an  old  New  York  chum  who  had  established 
himself  as  the  proprietor  of  a lodging  house  and  restaurant.  i\Ir.  Dornin  became  his 
partner,  but  a month  or  so  later  he  formed  a partnership  with  the  baker  of  the  estab- 
lishment and  furnished  pies  (at  handsome  ju-ofit)  to  the  tent-dwellers  of  the  city.  His 
partner  having  decided  to  go  to  the  mines,  Dornin  was  thrown  on  his  own  resources. 
He  promiFly  leased  a piece  of  ground,  put  up  with  his  own  hands  a lunch  counter 

and  stand,  and  the  “City  Hall  Lunch”  became  a feature  and  a profitable  one  in  San 

I'rancisco  life. 

Later  he  formed  a partnership  wfith  another  New  ’^'ork  boy,  Henry  I.  Beers  (now 
a prominent  banker  of  Oil  City,  Pennsylvania),  in  the  same  business,  and  this  finally 
developed  into  a more  extensive  restaurant,  and  later  into  general  merchandising.  The 
entire  stock  and  store  was  consumed  May  4,  1851,  in  one  of  the  great  conflagrations 
for  w'hich  early  San  Francisco  was  famous,  and  “Dornin  and  Beers"  closed  up  their  part- 


170 


T I I R underwrite  R. 


nership  relations.  Mr.  Dornin  then  tried  paper  hanging,  sign  painting,  etc.,  which  was 
fairly  remunerative.  His  chance  to  go  to  the  mines  came  in  the  spring  of  1852,  and  as 
he  had  been  connected  with  the  jewelry  business,  he  took  a stock  of  watches  and  jewelry 
to  Nevada  City. 

Later  he  engaged  in  mining  and  still  later  again  in  merchandising,  but  he  finally 
sold  out  and  moved  to  Grass  Valley,  where  he  put  out  his  sign  as  a “daguerreotypist. ” 
He  was  married  in  this  place  October  2,  1853,  to  Miss  Sarah  A.  Baldwin,  of  “Mayflower” 
ancestry,  and  their  first  child,  George  W.,  was  born  in  December,  1854.  All  his  be- 
longings were  again  destroyed  by  fire  in  September,  1855,  and  in  the  winter  of  that 
year  he  moved  to  North  San  Juan,  where  he  held  positions  as  postmaster,  express  and 
telegraph  agent,  stage  proprietor  and  mail  contractor,  and  in  October,  1863,  became 
connected  as  Local  Agent  with  the  Phoenix  of  Hartford.  In  the  fall  of  1865  he  was 
elected  to  the  Legislature,  and  his  position  as  such  brought  to  his  attention  sundry  in- 
surance bills,  and  his  advice  was  sought  by  colleagues.  Later  he  took  a position  in  San 
Francisco  as  Special  Agent  and  Adjuster  for  the  Phoenix  and  iditna  Insurance  com- 
panies. In  1867  he  was  again  elected  to  the  Legislature  and  at  the  close  of  the  session 
he  moved  with  his  family  to  San  Francisco. 

In  the  spring  of  1871  he  became  the  Secretary  of  the  Fireman’s  Fund  Insurance 
Company,  in  which  capacity  he  adjusted  and  settled  the  losses  of  that  company  in  the 
great  Chicago  fire. 

In  July,  1887,  he  was  tendered  and  accepted  the  Pacific  Coast  management  of 
the  Lion  P'ire  Insurance  Company  of  London,  and  1884  the  Washington  of  Boston  was 
placed  under  his  jurisdiction.  This  company  was  subsequently  reinsured  by  the  National 
P'ire  of  Hartford,  Connecticut.  In  1886  he  visited  London  to  arrange  for  the  transfer 
of  the  management  of  the  Imperial  jointly  with  the  Lion  and  Washington. 

The  alliance  between  the  English  and  American  companies  in  their  Pacific  De- 
partment was  terminated  in  the  summer  of  1891  and  Mr.  Dornin  retained  the  man- 
agement of  the  National.  To  this  was  added  in  July,  1895,  Coast  Department  of 
the  Springfield  P'.  and  M.  Insurance  Company  of  Springfield,  Massachusetts. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Dornin  is  a stalwart  Republican,  and  believes  in  its 
record  and  its  destiny.  His  sons,  George  W.  and  John  C.,  are  insurance  men,  the 
former  as  Assistant  Manager  and  the  latter  as  Special  Agent  of  the  National  and 
Springfield.  His  daughters  are  Mrs.  Crayton  W.  Wilkinson,  Mrs.  Rev.  George  G. 
Fldredge  and  Mrs.  Hubert  Bryant. 


C'lFORGE  W.  DORNIN 


ASSISTANT  MANAGER  OF  THE  NATIONAE  EIRE  INSURANCE  COMPANY  OF  HARTFORD, 
AND  THE  SPRINGEIEED  FIRE  AND  MARINE  INSURANCE  COMPANY 
OF  SPRINGFIELD,  MASSACHUSETTS. 

A faithful,  painstaking  and  accurate  official  is  George  W.  Dornin,  Assistant 
Manager  of  the  National  P'ire  Insurance  Company  of  Hartford  and  Springfield  P'ire 
and  Marine  Insurance  Company  of  Massachusetts,  and  those  in  authority  hace  not 
been  slow  to  recognize  and  acknowledge  his  fitness  for  his  present  positions.  He  owes 
his  nativity  to  California,  having  been  born  in  Grass  Wile}',  Nevada  County,  December 
19,  1854.  Until  the  year  1867  he  remained  in  his  native  county,  but  in  the  fall  of 


I 


FIRE  A N i:)  MARIN  E. 


179 


that  year  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  San  Francisco,  and  in  1873  graduated  from 
the  Oakland  1 ligh  Scliool.  'I'he  same  year  he  entered  the  State  University  at  Berkeley. 

Alter  a term  as  special  student,  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Central  Pacific 
Railroad  Company,  in  its  draughting  and  bridge  department,  but  after  a service  of 
nearly  three  years  he  became  connected  with  the  Fireman’s  Fund  Insurance  Company, 

of  which  his  father  was  then  Secretar}',  and  on  the  appointment  of  the  latter  to  the 

management  of  the  Lion  I'ire  Insurance  Company,  in  1881,  he  was  transferred 
to  the  service  (d  that  and  its  associate  company  as  chief  clerk.  From  that  time 
until  the  dissolution  of  the  alliance  between  the  Lion,  Imperial  and  National  Insurance 
companies,  in  i8gi,  Mr.  Dornin  gained  much  valual)le  experience  and  a thorough 
knowledge  of  insurance  matters,  which  have  placed  him  in  the  front  rank  of  live 
business  men. 

In  i8pi  Mr.  Dornin  entered  the  service  of  the  National  Insurance  Company  as 
.Vssistant  Manager,  which  title  he  also  holds  tor  the  Sjn'ingfield  Insurance  Company, 
which  is  associated  with  the  National  in  its  Coast  Department.  He  is  doing  excellent 

work  for  the  comjiany,  for  his  mental  \’igor,  executive  will  and  generous  heart  have 

combined  to  make  him  successful,  llis  mathematical  and  mechanical  training  especially 
fits  him  for  handling  the  details  of  a business  covering  twelve  States  and  Territories. 


Tllh:  Nb'AV  IfNCL.VND  P>URGLARV  INSURANCF  COMPANY  OF  P,OSTON, 

MASSAC  IIUSFTTS. 

d'he  New  Itngiand  Burglary  Insurance  Company,  of  which  Mr.  William  II.  Brewster 
is  President,  was  organized  by  that  gentleman  in  the  latter  part  of  1895,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  transacting  a general  burglary  insurance  business  throughout  the  United  States. 

The  company  has  entered  a field  heretofore  untrodden  by  any  underwriter  as  a 
sjiecialty.  Departments  have  been  established,  covering  practically  the  whole  of  the 
United  States,  and,  through  such  dejiartments,  local  representatives  will  be  appointed 
embracins''  in  the  nei<rhborhood  of  three  hundred  and  fiftv  of  the  leading  agents  through- 
out  the  Union.  The  company  has  undertaken,  in  the  plan  adopted  by  it,  to  protect 
the  premises  of  its  policyholders  from  'invasion  by  the  burglar  class  of  criminals,  as 
well  as  to  indemnifv  them  for  losses  arising  from  burglaries  committed.  The  plan  is 
certainly  a new  one,  and  in  some  respects  is  novel.  The  trade-marks  of  the  company, 
the  exclusive  use  of  which  are  guaranteed  to  it  under  the  laws  of  the  Pbiited  States, 
consist  of  an  aluminum  star  and  a warning  device  addressed  directly  to  the  burglar, 
one  of  which,  under  the  terms  of  the  policy,  the  assured  must  affix  in  such  a position 
as  to  be  seen  readily  by  anyone  passing  the  house. 

The  directory  of  the  company  is  made  up  of  gentlemen  holding  positions  of  trust 
and  honor  in  New  Ifngland. 

The  company  occupies  a suite  of  large,  conveniently  arranged  offices  in  the  John 
Hancock  Building,  No.  178  Devonshire  Street,  Boston,  Massachusetts. 


WILLIAM  II.  BREWSTER 


PRESIDENT  OE  THE  NEW  ENCIEAND  BURGEARV  IXSURANXE  COMPANY. 

William  II.  Brewster  was  born  at  Newburyport,  Massachusetts,  in  the  late  forties, 
and  has  made  insurance  his  chief  business  ever  since  leaving  the  schoolroom  to  take 
up  office  duties.  He  carries  an  honored  name,  and  is  in  direct  line  of  descent  of 
Bilgrim  ancestry.  In  January,  1866,  he  entered  the  insurance  office  of  Mr.  Oliver 
Brewster,  whose  exiierience  as  an  insurance  agent,  it  is  said,  antedated  that  of  all 
others  in  the  United  States. 

The  occupation  chosen  by  the  subject  of  this  sketch  proves  to  have  been  most 
felicitous  and  fortunate.  Mr.  Brewster’s  rapid  advancement  in  the  many  positions  of 
trust  and  importance  held  by  him  in  his  early  business  life,  coupled  with  his  well- 
known  later  success,  as  himself  an  agent  and  broker,  attest  his  high  standing  and 
ability  among  those  of  the  more  fortunate  in  the  fraternity. 

Mr.  Brewster  for  years  has  been  connected  with  Massachusetts  banking  institu- 
tions; has  interested  himself  in  educational  matters:  is  a member  of  the  great  IMasonic 
body,  and  with  Mrs.  Brewster — nee  Gertrude  A.  Balch,  of  Boston — has  been  somewhat 
active  in  local  charities. 

Mr.  Brewster’s  business  success,  in  a personal  sense,  prompted  him  to  broaden 
his  insurance  interests  somewhat,  and  in  189-5  undertook  the  admittedly  difficult 
task  of  organizing  the  New  England  Burglary  Insurance  Company.  It  is  needless  to 
say  much  respecting  the  results  attending  his  efforts  in  that  direction.  The  results 
speak  for  themselves.  The  company’s  entire  capital  of  $200,000  was  secured  in  a very 
few  weeks,  an  end  made  possible  very  largely  through  Mr.  Brewster’s  individual  work 
and  influence  among  Boston  capitalists,  with  whom  he  for  many  years  has  had  business 
dealings  of  more  or  less  importance,  and  whose  full  conhdence  he  enjoys.  His  election 
to  the  presidency  of  the  company  was  a natural  sequence.  The  company  has  a future 
most  promising,  and  has  been  received  everywhere  with  great  favor. 


HOWARD  S.  WHEELOCK 

GENERAE  MANAGER  OE  THE  NEW  ENGEAND  BURGEARV  INSURANCE  COMPANY. 

Howard  S.  Wheelock  was  born  in  Nova  Scotia,  but  of  Puritan  New  Ene;land 
ancestry,  who,  in  company  with  many  others,  were  enticed  to  that  province  by  the  offer 
of  Great  Britain  to  grant  them,  in  fee  simple,  tracts  of  valuable  lands.  The  ancestral 
line  continues  through  New  England  to  its  earliest  history,  and  is  traced  directly  to  Rev. 
Ralph  M’heelock,  the  founder  of  Medfield,  Massachusetts,  who  was  born  in  Shropshire, 
Enudand,  1600  A.  I).,  lirecl  at  Clare  Hall,  Cambridge  Universitv.  an  honored  alumnus,  and 
came  to  Watertown,  Massachusetts,  in  1637  A.  I).  A little  later  he  found  a permanent 
home  in  Medfield,  of  whose  history  he  forthwith  became  a chief  part.  In  this  ancestral 
family  there  ajipears  later  a conspicuous  hgure.  Rev.  Eleazar  Wheelock,  the  founder  of 
Dartmouth  College,  Hanover,  New  Hampshire.  Though  but  few  of  this  name  ha\e 
attained  eminence  in  the  histoiy  of  the  country,  the  lineage  has  been  very  honorably 
maintained  for  high  family  character,  for  interest  in  religion,  in  education  and  in  the 
]mblic  social  weal. 

Howard  S.  Wheelock,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  came  to  Boston  with  his  parents 
while  yet  a mere  lad,  and  entered  the  public  schools.  At  the  completion  of  school  life 

ISO 


18:3 


r E UNDERWRITER. 


fortune  favored  him,  making  an  opening  for  him  in  the  insurance  agency  of  Whlliam  H. 
Whitcomb  & Co.  This  event  determined  his  future  to  be  that  of  underwriter,  and, 
step  by  step,  he  has  risen  along  the  gradations  of  a fire  insurance  agency,  until  he 
became,  for  seven  years,  the  Special  Agent  of  the  Royal  Insurance  Company  of  Liver- 
pool, and  subseciuently,  for  six  years,  the  Manager  of  the  Northern  Assurance  Company 
of  London,  for  its  New  England  Department. 

Mr.  Wheelock’s  interest  in  burglary  insurance  was  awakened  earlier  than  1889, 
but  then  bore  its  first  practical  fruit.  In  that  year  he  and  his  associates  of  like  mind 
applied  to  the  Connecticut  Legislature  for  a charter  granting  them  permission  to  organ- 
ize the  Hartford  Burglary  Insurance  Company.  The  proper  legislative  authority  was 
given,  and  the  capital  stock  of  the  company  nearly  one-half  subscribed,  when  i\Ir. 
Wheelock,  who  was  then  the  Special  Agent  of  the  “Royal,”  was  tendered  the  position 
already  referred  to  of  New  England  Manager  of  the  Northern  Assurance  Company  of 

London.  Work  upon  the  Hartford  Burglary  Company  was  then  dropped,  but  the  idea 

of  burglary  insurance  did  not  die  out.  It  lingered  as  a latent  force,  only  to  be  cjuicklv 
revived  when  certain  Boston  gentlemen  proposed  to  him  the  organization  of  a new 
company  under  Massachusetts  supervision.  At  the  close  of  1895  he  was  offered  the 
position  of  General  iManager,  and  tendered  his  resignation  of  Departmental  Manager  of 
the  “Northern”  to  assume  the  broader  duties  required  in  the  conduct  of  a business 
extending  over  the  whole  country. 

Of  honors  Mr.  Wheelock  has  had  a generous  share,  both  in  business  and  social 

circles.  He  has  held  important  offices  in  various  fire  insurance  organizations,  and  the 

welfare  of  fire  insurance  companies  in  the  State  has  been  not  a little  promoted  through 
his  exertions.  His  earnest,  hard  work  appears  conspicuously  in  the  successful  effort  of 
underwriters  to  bring  about  the  creation  of  the  office  of  Fire  Marshal  of  Massachusetts. 
It  is  Ijelieved  that  no  State  movement  of  late  years  has  had  so  favorable  an  effect  in 
minimizing  the  annual  fire  waste  as  this. 

Mr.  Wheelock  is  now  forty  years  of  age.  He  is  married  and  resides  in  Dorches- 
ter, a sulmrl)  of  Boston.  He  is  also  a memljer  of  the  Exchange  and  Codman  clubs, 
of  his  own  city,  and  a parishioner  of  the  old  historic  Second  Church  of  Dorchester. 


THE  BENNSYLVANTA  EIRE  INSURANCE  CO^IPANY. 

All  over  the  country  the  name  of  the  Pennsylvania  I'ire  Insurance  Company  is 
the  synonym  for  integrity  and  solidity  in  the  underwriting  work,  and  this  is  the  highest 
enconium  which  can  be  passed  upon  the  company's  official  direction.  The  qualities  that 
have  made  the  Pennsylvania  what  it  is  as  a leading  American  fire  insurance  organ- 
ization have  been  j-terpetuated  under  the  different  administrations,  and  greater  triumjffis 
for  it  may  confidently  be  looked  for.  This  company  was  incorporated  in  March,  and 
commenced  business  in  April,  1825,  the  original  paid-up  capital  being  S20o,ooo.  In 
the  year  1863  this  was  increased  to  $400,000. 

The  first  President  was  Robert  A.  Caldcleugh,  who,  declining  a renomination, 
was  succeeded  by  Jonathan  Smith  in  1835.  blpon  the  decease  of  the  latter.  Ouintin 
Camiibell  was  elected  in  1839,  and  he,  after  several  years  of  official  service,  resigned 
the  )K)sition,  and  was  succeeded  by  Jonathan  Patterson  in  1853.  The  latter  filled  the 


184 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


executive  chair  until  1865,  when  Daniel  Smith,  Jr.,  was  elected  to  the  vacant  post. 
Mr.  Smith  resigned  in  1873,  and  was  immediately  succeeded  by  the  late  John  Devereux. 

Under  conservative  and  careful  management  the  business  duly  prospered,  and  the 
company  early  secured  the  good  will  and  confidence  of  the  community.  In  1867  the 
present  large  agency  business  had  its  start.  The  company  was  authorized  to  transact 
business  in  New  York,  and  three  agencies  were  established  in  that  State.  It  was  not, 
however,  until  some  time  thereafter  that  agency  appointments  were  made  upon  an 
extensive  scale.  Conservatism  in  management  has,  in  fact,  always  been  a prominent 
feature  of  the  company. 

In  the  great  conflagration  in  Boston  in  1872,  the  Pennsylvania  Fire  was  a great 
sufterer,  its  losses  thereby  having  been  about  $550,000,  the  result  of  which  was  to 
impair  the  capital  stock  $133,141.  In  January  following,  an  assessment  of  fifty  dollars 
per  share  of  the  stock  was  ordered  by  the  directors  to  make  good  the  deficit.  The 
call  was  duly  responded  to,  and  the  company  went  forward  with  renewed  energy  and 
increased  prosperity,  and  the  close  of  the  year  1873  found  it  with  a net  surplus  of 
$121,537  above  its  full-paid  capital  and  other  liabilities.  Since  organization  the 

company  has  received  $28,442,270  in  premiums,  paid  $16,037,386  in  losses,  and 
$2,769,000  in  cash  dividends. 

In  the  year  1895,  the  capital  stock  of  this  company  was  $400,000,  and  the 
surplus  $ 1, 783, 58 1 .66.  Its  aggregate  receipts  in  that  year  were  $1,817,168.79,  and  at 
the  close  of  the  year  its  risks  in  force  amounted  to  $266,028,064.  President  Devereux 
died  August  19,  1890,  and  was  succeeded  by  Colonel  R.  Dale  Benson,  who  for  several 
years  had  been  its  most  efficient  Vice-President.  John  L.  Thompson  is  Vice-President, 
W.  Gardner  Crowell,  Secretary,  Charles  W.  IMorrill,  Assistant  Secretary,  and  Wm.  J. 
Dawson,  Secretary  Agency  Department.  All  are  underwriters  of  ability,  and  their 
promotion  has  been  honorably  earned. 

The  department  managers  are:  Western  Department,  Barry  & Davis;  Eastern, 

Scull  Sc  Field;  New  York  State,  Charles  R.  Knowles;  Pacific  Coast,  T.  Edwards  Pope; 
Pennsylvania,  T.  Derr  & Brother;  iMaryland,  E.  J.  Richardson  & Sons;  New  Jersey 
Northern,  C.  P.  Frame;  Southern  Department,  Clarence  Knowles;  South  Western, 
Frank  C.  Case.  The  Directors  are:  Messrs.  Edwin  N.  Benson,  R.  Dale  Benson,  J. 

Tatnall  Lea,  Cornelius  N.  Weygandt,  Richard  M.  Cadwalader,  Effingham  B.  Morris, 

John  E.  Thomson.  Charles  E.  Pugh,  Harry  E.  YTst. 

In  the  year  1875  the  company  completed  a half  century  of  continuous  experience 

in  the  fire  insurance  field.  From  that  date  up  to  the  present  time  the  growth  of  the 

company  has  been  most  marked.  It  suggests  at  once  a high  order  of  managerial  skill 
in  both  the  underwriting  and  financial  departments. 


COL.  R.  DALE  BENSON 

PRESIDENT  OF  THE  PENNSYLVANIA  FIRE  INSURANCE  COMPANY. 

The  career  of  this  gentleman  has  been  marked  by  steady  upward  tendencies. 
Having  an  astute  vision,  clear  head  and  good  health,  he  began  in  the  insurance  business 
with  energetic  application  and  determined  purpose.  Giving  close  attention  to  details 
and  neglecting  nothing,  he  exercised  good  judgment  and  proved  himself  a thorough 
business  man.  He  is  now  holding  the  responsible  position  of  President  of  the  Penn- 


J L.  Phillips  N"y;  Pho  tc  grscvur  e . 


PRESIDENT  PENNSYLVANIA  FIRE  INSURANCE  COI>fP.\NY. 


SiTPPLEMENT  Tl)  Tin-;  InSLTRANPE  TrMKi?' 


FIRE  AN  D MARI  N E. 


185 


sylvania  Fire  Insurance  Company,  which  position  was  won  upon  his  merits.  He  displays 
perspicuous  and  able  management,  and  closely  observing  every  department  of  the  work, 
gives  imiHilse  to  everything  by  the  magic  of  his  own  energy.  He  is  skilled  in  the 
whole  matter  of  insurance  and  the  clearness  of  his  judgment  and  the  correctness  of  his 
methods  are  shown  in  the  steadily  increasing  business  of  the  company. 

President  Benson  is  a native  of  Philadelphia,  born  December  r,  1841,  and  when 
nineteen  years  old  was  graduated  from  the  University  of  Pennsylvania.  Soon  after  this 
he  became  clerk  in  a wholesale  grocery  house  in  Philadelphia,  but  his  patriotism  was 
aroused  by  the  hrst  call  for  troops  l>y  President  Lincoln,  and  he  entered  the  military 
service  of  the  United  States  as  a volunteer,  enlisting  iVpril  24,  1861,  for  three  months. 
In  1862  he  re-entered  the  service  as  a commissioned  officer,  and  was  mustered  out  in 
July,  1865,  as  brevet-Major  U.  S.  Volunteers,  having  in  the  meantime  honorably  par- 
ticipated in  the  famous  campaigns  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  and  the  James.  He 
also  served  in  the  National  Guard  of  Pennsylvania  nine  years,  from  1868  to  1887,  and 
during  that  time  held  with  marked  credit  the  position  of  Colonel  of  the  First  Regiment. 
His  unusual  bravery  and  signal  abilities  as  a commanding  officer  are  well  remembered 
in  connection  with  the  perilous  position  occujiied  by  his  regiment  in  the  memorable 
Roundhouse  emergency  in  the  Pittsburg  riots  of  1877. 

In  the  year  1866  Colonel  Benson  re-engaged  in  merchandising,  and  followed  the 
importation  and  jobbing  of  teas  as  a member  of  a firm,  doing  business  both  in  Phila- 
delphia and  New  York.  His  connection  with  this  continued  until  1881.  In  the  mean- 
time he  had  become  a Director  of  the  Insurance  Company  of  the  State  of  Penns)’lvania 
and  the  Franklin  Fire  Insurance  Company  and  served  in  those  corporations  for  a number 
of  years.  In  February,  1881,  he  was  elected  \hce-President  of  the  Pennsylvania  Fire, 
and  in  August  of  the  same  year  assumed  the  active  duties  of  the  position,  since  which 
time  he  has  devoted  his  untiring  energies  with  much  success  to  the  interests  and  growth 
of  that  worthy  corporation.  On  the  19th  of  September,  1890,  he  was  elected  as  the 
successor  of  the  late  John  Devereux  in  the  executive  office  of  the  company  and  now 
holds  that  responsible  position.  The  tjualities  that  have  made  the  Pennsylvania  what 
it  is  have  been  continued  under  Colonel  Benson’s  administration,  and  improvements  are 
constantly  taking  place. 

At  present  Colonel  Benson  is  prominently  identihed  with  a number  of  important 
interests  in  Philadelphia  apart  from  his  connection  with  the  Pennsylvania  h'ire, 
being  a Director  of  the  Western  National  Bank,  the  Real  Instate  Trust  Comjmny,  the 
Chesapeake  and  Delaware  Canal  Company,  the  Catawissa  Railroad,  the  North  Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad  and  the  Pennsylvania  Salt  Manufacturing  Company.  He  is  also  Man- 
ager of  the  Western  Savings  Fund  Society,  the  Merchants’  Fund  Society,  the 
Mercantile  Beneficial  Association  and  the  Society  of  the  Alumni  of  the  PIniversity  of 
Pennsylvania.  He  is  also  Vice-President  of  the  Union  League  of  Philadelphia,  Trustee 
of  the  West  Spruce  Street  Presbyterian  Church,  and  Trustee  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  America.  Besides  these  the  Colonel  is  actively  identified  with  leading  clubs  of  Phila- 
delphia, and  is  otherwise  jirominent  in  social  life.  His  universal  high  standing  and  excep- 
tional popularity  both  in  and  out  of  the  underwriting  ranks  speaks  well  as  to  his 
character. 


CHARLES  HART  BARin 


MANAGER  OF  WESTERN  DEl’ARTMEXT  OE  PENNSVI. VANIA  FIRE  INSURANCE  COMPANY. 

lAiterprising  measures  and  jirogressive  methods  are  business  requirements  of  the 
nineteenth  century,  and  few  of  the  younger  men  engaged  in  the  insurance  industry 
have  sliown  these  qualihcations  in  a more  marked  degree  than  Charles  Hart  Barry, 
AI  anager  of  the  Western  Department  of  the  Pennsylvania  Fire  Insurance  Company  of 
Philadelphia.  From  the  start  he  displayed  unusual  adaptability  for  the  business  and 
has  already  gained  a firm  foothold  in  insurance  circles.  In  all  matters  pertaining  to 
insurance  he  takes  a foremost  place  and  is  known  as  a young  man  of  more  than  ordinary 
ability  and  business  acumen. 

Mr.  Barry  is  a native  of  Illinois,  born  in  Alton,  November  15,  1857,  and  the  son 
of  Amasa  S.  Barry,  who,  during  his  life,  was  considered  one  of  the  best  adjusters  of 
fire  losses  in  the  West.  Young  Barry,  no  doubt,  inherited  a great  share  of  his  love 
for  insurance  from  his  father,  and  has  displayed  much  of  the  ability  that  made  his 
father  noted.  In  addition  to  a good  practical  education  received  in  the  public  school 
of  Alton,  Illinois,  Charles  Barry  attended  the  University  of  Illinois  and  was  graduated 
therefrom  in  the  class  of  1877.  He  was  always  a quiet,  unostentatious  boy,  and  when 
at  school,  or  when  he  had  the  chance,  applied  himself  closely  to  his  books. 

Because  of  a natural  liking  for  underwriting  he  entered  the  local  agency  of  F. 
Hewitt,  Alton,  Illinois,  in  March,  1877,  and  remained  with  that  gentleman  until  October, 
when  he  was  induced  by  David  Beveridge,  of  the  firm  of  Beveridge  & Harris,  at  that 
time  Managers  of  the  Northwestern  Department  of  Niagara  Insurance  Company,  to 
enter  his  office.  There  Mr.  Barry  remained  until  1880,  occupying  nearly  every  position 
in  the  office,  but  upon  the  retirement  of  Air.  Harris  he  assumed  the  duties  of  that 
Sfentleman.  In  the  same  vear  Air.  Barry  transferred  his  services  to  the  Phoenix  of 
Fondon,  and  became  Special  Agent  and  Adjuster  for  the  States  of  Illinois,  Indiana  and 
Alichigan. 

Upon  the  establishment  of  the  Western  Department  under  Alanager  Clarke,  Air. 
Barry's  field  was  reduced  to  Illinois  and  Alichigan.  In  1884  he  became  State  Agent 
and  Adjuster  for  Southern  Illinois  with  headquarters  at  Alton  for  the  Pennsylvania  Fire 
Insurance  Company  and  the  Insurance  Company  of  North  America.  Afterward,  in 
1887,  he  was  transferred  to  the  State  Agency  of  Alichigan  for  the  same  companies. 
He  soon  became  recognized  as  a wide-awake,  reliable  and  most  trustworthy  insurance 
man  and  in  1890  accepted  the  invitation  of  J.  F.  Downing  to  remove  to  Erie,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  become  a member  of  the  firm  of  J.  F.  Downing  & Company,  Western 
Alanagers  of  the  above  mentioned  companies,  and  on  account  of  his  unusual  adaptability, 
was  given  charge  of  the  underwriting  department  of  the  office. 

In  the  year  1895,  tlie  retirement  of  the  Pennsylvania  Fire,  Air.  Barry 

accepted  the  management  of  the  New  Western  Department  of  that  company  with 
heachiuarters  at  Chicago,  having  associated  with  him  in  the  business  Air.  John  II.  Davis 
as  joint  manager.  Their  knowledge  of  the  insurance  business,  close  attention  to  its 
details,  and  energetic  methods  are  securing  for  the  company  they  represent,  marked 
expansion  of  business.  Ihissessed  with  a praiseworth}'  ambition  to  succeed  thev  have 
seized  all  ojiportunities  for  furthering  the  interests  of  the  company  and  signal  success 
has  attended  their  efforts. 

Air.  Barry’s  ojfinion  of  secret  organizations  resulted  in  joining  the  Alasonic  Fraternity 
and  he  is  now  a Knight  Templar  and  a member  of  Beh'idere  Commandery,  No. 


ISli 


188 


T H E U N D E R W RITE  R. 


Since  early  boyhood  he  has  been  a regular  attendant  at  the  Unitarian  Church.  In 
politics  he  supports  the  principles  and  platform  of  the  Republican  party.  In  the  year 
18S4  he  married  Miss  Ida  i\I.  Bateman,  of  Alton,  Illinois,  and  they  have  one  child,  a 
daughter. 

CLARENCE  KNOWLES 


GENERAL  SOUTHERN  MANAGER  PENNSYLVANIA  INSURANCE  COMPANY  AND  DELAWARE 

INSURANCE  COMPANY. 

Clarence  Knowles  has  been  for  years  recognized  in  the  Southern  field  as  a 
leading  underwriter,  in  the  definition  that  comprehends  in  its  extensive  grasp  personal 
popularity,  enterprise  and  a thorough  knowledge  of  the  profession.  His  career,  to  the 
meridian  of  life,  has  been  unclouded  by  failure  and  unmarred  by  mistakes.  Mr.  Knowles 
was  born  in  Elorida,  where  he  grew  up  amid  the  troublesome  time  of  war  then  existing 
between  the  States.  The  disturbed  conditions  of  his  surroundings  were  not  propitious 
for  the  pursuit  of  study  to  which  his  birth  entitled  him,  and  in  this  respect  as  a boy 
young  Knowles  had  to  Vike  his  chances  with  other  youths  of  his  State.  Fortunately  for 
him,  he  was  endow'ed  whth  natural  uifts  of  mind  that  enabled  him  to  absorb  thoroimhlv 
the  groundwork  of  education  and  in  later  years  to  expand  beneficially  as  he  grew  older. 
It  was  well  it  was  so,  for  at  the  close  of  the  war,  by  reason  of  circumstances  not  his 
own  making  and  which  he  could  not  control,  he  found  himself  not  only  thrown  on  his 
own  resources,  but  he  became  a supjiort  to  others.  Thus  it  fell  out  when  a mere 
youth  he  accepted  a situation  as  clerk  in  the  office  of  Knowles  Bros.,  insurance  agents, 
of  I’ensacola.  His  ready  aptitude  in  mastering  the  details  of  his  duties,  his  correct  and 
intelligent  methods  of  business,  attracted  the  attention  of  Alexander  Stoddart,  General 
Agent  of  the  New  York  Underwriters.  Stoddart  invited  him  to  New  York,  giving  him 
a position  in  his  general  office.  It  was  soon  discovered  that  Knowles  was  too  valuable 
to  retain  in  an  office  performing  the  w'ork  of  a clerk;  so  he  was  forthwith  dispatched 
to  the  field,  being  assigned  the  sujiervision  of  the  Carolinas,  as  Special  Agent  of  the 
N ew  York  Underwriters,  with  headcjuarters  at  Columbia,  South  Carolina.  He  eaiiv 
attained  the  reputation  of  an  adjuster  who  combined  careful,  painstaking,  investigating 
t|ualities  with  brilliancy  and  dash  in  surmounting  difficulties,  which  brought  out  the 
best  results.  At  the  time  of  the  great  Chicago  fire,  although  a mere  youth,  he  was 
detailed  by  the  New  York  Underwriters  to  assist  in  the  adjustment  of  their  losses 
there.  This  mark  of  confidence  was  not  misplaced,  for  although  arrayed  against  the 
sharp,  shrewd  professionals  of  the  West,  he  held  his  own  and  reflected  credit  upon  the 
section  from  which  he  came.  As  a Special  Agent  Knowles  was  as  successful  as  an 
adjuster.  In  the  face  of  changing  phases  in  the  policy  of  underwriting,  by  his  personal 
popularity  and  magnetism,  he  held  his  own  and  steadily  improved.  In  1882  the 
necessity  of  forming  a protective  association  among  Southern  underwriters  was  apparent 
to  all.  It  was  at  this  time  that  the  Southeastern  Tariff  Association  was  formed. 
Special  Agent  Knowles  was  a prime  mover  in  this  business  and  was  unanimously 
selected  to  be  its  official  head.  For  six  years  he  held  the  presidency  of  the  South- 
eastern Tariff  Association,  and  it  is  largely  due  to  his  untiring  energy  and  wise  admin- 
istration that  the  companies  to-day  enjo}-  the  benefits  of  that  great  and  successful 
association.  1 le  retired  from  office  voluntarily  and  under  the  protest  of  the  members, 
who,  in  grateful  remembrance  of  his  services,  presented  to  him  a testimonial  as  hand- 
some as  it  was  exjiressive  of  their  esteem  and  admiration. 


K»0 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


In  1883  the  companies  composing  the  New  York  Underwriters’  Agency  were  dis- 
solved. The  first  move  of  these  former  partners  was  to  secure  the  services  of  Special 
Agent  Knowles.  He  refused  a great  salary  from  the  New  York  Underwriters,  accept- 
ing the  management  of  the  Southern  Department  of  the  Germania  Fire  Insurance 
Company,  then  controlled  by  his  warm  personal  friend.  President  Rudolph  Garrigue.  When 
the  Germania,  at  the  death  of  iMr.  Garrigue,  passed  to  other  hands,  the  company  with- 
drew from  the  South.  Manager  Knowles  reinsured  this  business  in  the  Delaware,  which 
company  he  represented  as  Southern  Manager.  He  also  represented  at  this  time  the 
Pennsylvania  Fire  Insurance  Company,  of  which  he  is  still  the  Southern  Manager. 
These  two  companies,  under  his  management,  have  been  successful  in  the  South,  each 
year  increasing  in  business  and  profitable  results. 

Mr.  Knowles  is  of  fine  appearance,  pleasing  manner,  and  one  upon  whom  the 
passing  years  set  lightly.  In  the  South  his  accjuaintance  is  widespread  and  his  social 
position  is  of  the  best.  In  the  city  of  Atlanta,  Georgia,  where  he  lives,  he  is  facile 
princej)s.  As  an  evidence  of  his  popularity  and  the  esteem  in  which  he  is  held  by  his 
fellow-townsmen  he  has  been  recently  elected  a member  of  the  Georgia  Legislature 
from  the  Metroj^olitan  District  of  the  State.  That  he  deserves  this  success  no  one 
will  deny,  and  he  is  so  absolutely  free  from  the  little  meannesses  of  life  that  his 
success  is  not  envied. 

Above  all,  he  is  blessed  in  that  fortunate  marital  condition  that  in  this  world 
brings  true  happiness,  and  in  all  respects  by  his  own  efforts  he  is  to-day  bathed  in  the 
sunlight  of  prosperity  that  bids  fair  to  last  always. 

T.  FDWARD  POPE 


I’ACIFIC  COAST  MANA(;KR  of  'HIF:  PFNNSVLVAXIA  FIRK  1^■SURA^XE  COMFAXV. 

.Vmong  those  whose  career  in  the  insurance  business  has  been  rendered  conspicuous 
bv  honorable  methods,  careful  attention  shown  throughout,  and  the  number  of  years 
])assed  in  it,  is  Mr.  T.  Ivdward  I’ope,  Coast  Manager  of  the  Pennsylvania  Fire  Insurance 
Company.  Until  recently  Mr.  I’ope  was  with  the  Tvtna  Insurance  Company,  having 
started  with  that  company  about  twenty-three  years  ago  as  bookkeeper.  His  past 
record  is  an  endorsement  of  character  and  his  merited  success  has  been  gained  through 
[)rinciples  of  sound  business  integrity  and  general  ability.  Personally  he  is  too  well 
known  to  require  any  extended  notice  in  these  pages.  I le  is  jiopular  with  local  agents, 
and  his  long  experience  as  an  underwriter  has  confirmed  those  conservative  methods  in 
underwriting  which  make  for  success  in  the  long  run. 

Mr.  Pope  was  born  in  the  city  of  Ouincy,  Illinois,  in  1846,  and  is  a graduate  of 
Knox  College.  Following  this  he  embarked  in  merchandising  and  continued  this  for 
several  years.  He  began  his  insurance  career  as  bookkeeper  under  General  Agent 
Poardman  of  the  .Ltna,  and  when  George  \\k  Spencer  resigned  as  Special  Agent  of 
the  .-Etna,  Mr.  Ikrpe  succeeded  him,  and  fiu'  a number  of  years  served  the  compan}- 
as  a Special  Agent  and  Adjuster  in  this  field.  During  General  .\gent  Boardman’s  year 
and  a half  absence  in  Europe,  several  years  ago,  Mr.  Pope  had  full  charge  of  the 
/Etna’s  affairs,  and  was  made  Assistant  General  Agent  on  Mr.  Boardman’s  return.  He 
remained  with  that  comjxany  until  May,  i8yb,  since  which  time  he  has  gi\-en  his  full 
time  to  the  building  up  of  the  Pennsylvania’s  interests  in  the  West. 


192 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


Mr.  Pope  went  to  California  in  1874  and  has  resided  in  that  state  ever  since. 
He  makes  his  home  in  Oakland,  and  is  often  prominently  connected  with  various  under- 
takings which  interest  public-spirited  men  and  contribute  largely  to  the  public  weal. 
“To  every  local  agent  on  the  coast  the  name  of  Pope  is  familiar,”  says  the  Adjuster 
of  San  Francisco,  which  paper  adds  that  he  is  “personally  known  to  hundreds  of  them 
and  by  reputation  to  all.  ” By  reinsuring  the  coast  business  of  the  Phenix  of  Brooklyn, 
the  Pennsylvania  Fire  has  secured  a valuable  agency  plant  and  has  placed  a superior 
man  at  its  head. 


CHARLES  C.  LLPTLE 

VICE-PRESIDENT  AND  SECRETARY  OF  PIIENIX  INSURANCE  COMPANY  OF  BROOKLYN. 

Of  the  presiding  geniuses  of  the  Phenix  Insurance  Company  of  Brooklyn,  IMr. 
Charles  C.  Little  may,  with  fairness,  be  singled  out  as  a type  of  the  men  who  have 
had  the  oversight  of  this  sterling  organization  from  the  start.  He  is  clear-headed,  bold, 
acute,  far-sighted  and  it  is  such  men  as  this  who  laid  the  corner  stone  of  what  is  now 
a mighty  structure.  It  is  no  post  merel}'  of  honor  that  Mr.  Little  holds,  being  Vice- 
President  and  Secretary  of  this  vast  concern,  but  he  transacts  business  all  over  the 
United  States,  and  out  of  it,  and  is  a very  busy  man. 

He  was  born  in  the  city  of  New  York,  June  13,  1855,  and  in  addition  to  the 
instruction  received  under  private  tutors,  attended  Mobile  College  and  subsequently  an 
academy  on  the  Hudson  river.  His  tastes  and  habits  in  early  life,  outside  of  those 
required  by  study,  were  principally  hunting  and  fishing.  When  it  became  necessary 
or  him  to  select  some  occupation  in  life,  he  first  engaged  in  merchandising  in  New 

York  City,  but  only  continued  this  for  a short  time.  On  the  6th  of  September,  1873, 

he  entered  the  home  office  of  the  Phenix  Insurance  Company,  and  although  he  began 
as  clerk,  his  abilities  were  soon  recognized  and  his  promotion  to  higher  positions  were 
not  long  in  coming. 

He  was  in  the  agency  departments  of  the  New  England  and  IMiddle  States  for  a 
certain  period  but  later  became  Assistant  General  Agent,  then  Assistant  Secretary,  then 
Secretary,  and  recently  accepted  the  dual  position  of  Vice-Ih'esident  and  Secretary. 
His  was  a promotion  well  merited,  for  he  is  essentially  a practical  man  and  a graduate 
from  the  ranks.  Mr.  Eittle  is  an  authority  on  hre  protection,  and  has  given  a great 

deal  of  attention  to  the  equipment  and  insurance  of  improved  risks.  His  work  in  this 

line  has  been  one  of  profit  to  the  Phenix  and  to  fire  insurance,  for  it  was  the  first 
stock  company  to  write  large  lines  on  ]irotected  risks,  and  it  was  largely  through  its 
inspection  department  that  the  Factory  Associations  of  the  East  and  South  came  into 
existence. 

Charles  C.  Little  is  a most  estimable  man  and  is  as  well  liked  as  well  known. 
His  career  has  been  a prosperous  one  and  he  merits  all  his  good  fortune.  He  is  now 
a resident  of  Larchmont,  New  York,  and  is  a prominent  and  influential  citizen  there. 
He  is  chief  of  the  Larchmont  Phre  Department,  the  wealthiest  volunteer  organization 
in  the  United  States,  and  he  is  the  Secretary  and  a Trustee  of  the  Larchmont  Yacht 
Clul),  which  is  known  the  world  over. 


JONATHAN  \V.  BARLEY 


(iENKRAL  AC;EXT  OE  THE  FHEXIX  IXSLH<AXCE  COMPAXY,  OE  BROOKEVX. 

It  is  a fact  so  well  known  that  its  repetition  is  almost  needless  that  the  business 
connected  with  hre  insurance  has  become  a recognized  industry,  or  more  strictly  speak- 
ing, profession,  in  which  a great  many  shrewd,  intelligent  and  capable  men  are  engaged. 
Among  this  number  stands  the  name  of  Jonathan  \V.  Barley,  General  Agent  of  the 
IMienix  Insurance  Company,  of  Brooklyn,  whose  ability  and  fidelity  in  this  connection 
have  won  him  a wide  spread  reputation.  Mr.  IGrley  is  not  a native  of  this  country, 
l)ut  was  born  at  Liverpool,  England,  January  12,  1841.  His  parents  were,  George  and 
IHizabeth  Barley. 

Young  Barley  attended  college  at  Liverpool,  and  fully  equipped  with  a good  edu- 
cation, entered  the  office  of  Tennants  & Company,  of  Liverpool,  of  which  his  father 
was  a member,  and  continued  with  this  company  until  his  father’s  death,  or  until  18^9. 
Believiim  that  he  could  better  his  condition  both  financialL’  and  otherwise  in  a foreiiin 
country,  Mr.  Barley  decided  to  go  to  New  York,  and  arriving  in  that  city  in  the  earlv 
spring  of  i860.  Immediately  he  secured  employment  in  a wholesale  drv-goods  house 
and  there  remained  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war. 

On  the  4th  of  November,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  C,  37th  New  Yoik  \'ol- 
unteers  as  ist  Lieutenant  and  was  ajipointed  Captain  in  the  same  regiment  in  1862. 
He  was  mustered  out  in  June,  1863.  On  the  8th  of  December  of  that  year  he  was 
appointed  Ijy  President  Lincoln  as  Captain  in  the  United  States  \Tteran  Reser\-e  Corps, 
and  retired  from  the  service  in  Sejitember,  1866.  He  participated  in  the  Peninsular 
camjiaign,  and  was  severely  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  \hrginia. 

On  the  14th  of  March,  1867,  he  entered  the  service  of  the  Phenix  Insurance 
Company,  of  Brooklyn,  as  clerk,  was  made  Special  Agent  of  the  company  in  1871, 
Assistant  (General  Agent  in  1874,  and  in  1881  received  the  appointment  of  General 
Agent.  Mr.  B aiiey  has  never  been  associated  with  any  other  insurance  companw 

Since  the  year  1893  has  been  a member  of  the  Military  Order  of  the  I.oyal 

Legion,  has  been  a member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  for  a great  man\- 
Years,  and  is  also  a member  of  the  Crescent  .Vthletic  Club  of  Brooklyn,  and  several 
others.  l\Ir.  Ifarley  has  traveled  extensively  in  this  country  and  Europe.  He  is  an 
Episcopalian  in  his  religious  views.  In  politics  he  is  a Republican. 

In  Lebruary,  1864,  he  married  Miss  Emma  Caroline  Willcox,  who  died  in  Leh- 
ruary,  1885.  In  April,  1891,  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Cuvier  Cooney.  He  has  four 
children  living,  three  sons  and  one  daughter.  The  two  eldest  sons  are  connected  with 
the  Phenix,  one  as  Special  Agent  for  the  Middle  Department,  and  the  other  as  Special 
Agent  for  New  England. 


EUGENE  HARBECK 

GEXERAE  AHEXr  OE  THE  WESTERX  AXI)  SOLITHERX  1 )E PARl’M EXTS  OE  THE  PHEXIX  IXSERAXCE 

CO-MPAXV,  OE  BROOKEVX. 

Among  the  “Prominent  Business  Men  of  the  Great  W est,  ’ IMr.  Eugene  Harbeck, 
General  Agent  in  Chicago  of  the  WTstern  and  Southern  Departments  of  the  Phenix 
Insurance  Comjiany,  of  Brooklyn,  occupies  a conspicuous  and  prominent  place.  In  these 
days  of  intense  competition,  the  average  )'oung  man  is  apt  to  complain  a great  deal 
about  “not  getting  on  in  the  world,”  but  Eugene  Harbeck,  who,  as  will  be  seen,  has 

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been  “getting  on”  in  an  increasingly  difficult  business  from  the  very  day  that  he  entered 
it,  has  attained  a measure  of  success  that  but  few  men  attain,  and  at  an  age  when 
most  men  are  occupying  subordinate  imsitions.  This  he  has  done  by  essentially  prac- 
tical application,  and  his  career  aftords  incentive  and  encouragement  to  young  men 
everywhere. 

Ilis  ancestors,  the  Ilarbecks,  whence  came  also  the  well-known  Brooklyn  and 
Cleveland  merchants  of  the  same  name,  belonged  to  a race  that  has  always  been  noted 
for  its  general  hardihood  and  substantiality  of  character.  His  great-grandfather  and 
family  emigrated  to  this  country  from  Holland  and  settled  on  Manhattan  Island,  where 
they  were  among  those  who  were  driven  into  the  refuge  of  Duchess  county  by  the 
soldiers  of  King  George.  Mr.  Harbeck’s  maternal  ancestors  were  also  among  the  early 
settlers  of  Maniiattan,  and  also  accjuainted  with  the  heroism  and  hardship  of  the  Revo- 
lution. His  grandparents  and  parents  were  natives  and  residents  of  the  Empire  State 
for  many  years,  and  there  his  grandmother  still  lives  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety. 
Such,  briefly,  were  the  ancestors  of  one  who  has  inherited  their  practical  bent,  hard 
common  sense  and  estimable  (jualities. 

Eugene  Harbeck  was  born  in  Batavia,  New  York,  Eebruary  19,  1853,  to  Cor- 

nelius and  Martha  (Mead)  Harbeck.  \Try  early  in  life  he  removed  with  the  family  to 
Battle  Creek,  Michigan,  and  w'as  educated  in  the  public  schools  at  that  place  and  at 
Le  Roy  Academy,  of  Le  Roy,  New  York,  graduating  from  the  latter  in  1870.  That 
year,  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  he  entered  an  insurance  and  real  estate  office  at  Battle 
Creek,  resolved  upon  learning  hrst  the  fundamentals  of  the  l)usiness,  and  upon  generally 
qualifying  himself  for  that  future  which  his  ambitious  fancy  pictured.  Those  initial 
years,  plainly  enough,  were  of  great  value.  He  began  as  an  office  l)oy,  and  ad- 
vanced rajudly  as  l)oys  of  his  stamp  are  apt  to  do;  continued  with  one  employer  nine 
years. 

Since  that  time,  as  has  been  observed,  “he  has  made  but  few  changes,  and  then 
alwa3's  for  the  better,”  and  to  assume  larger  responsibilities.  In  1879  he  established  a 
fire  insurance  agency  at  Battle  Creek  on  his  own  account,  and  so  conducted  it  as  to 
soon  attract  the  favorable  attention  of  the  General  Agency  companies  doing  business  in 
the  Western  field.  As  a consequence,  he  was  in  1881  appointed  Special  Agent  of  the 
Detroit  Eire  and  Marine  Insurance  Company,  and  two  years  later  Michigan  State  Agent 
of  the  Phenix  Insurance  Company,  of  Brooklyn,  New  York,  whicli  then,  as  now,  had 
“agencies  everywhere.”  This  position  he  occupied  to  the  company's  increasing  satisfac- 
t on  until  November,  1887,  when  he  resigned  to  accept  the  secretaryshi}-)  of  the  Michi- 
gan Eire  and  Marine.  As  the  record  shows,  he  found  that  company  in  poor  condition, 
profiting  nothing,  but  it  steadily  prospered  under  his  management,  “largely  increasing 
its  assets  and  surplus,  trebling  its  revenue  and  paying  good  dividends.” 

Mr.  Harbeck  continued  with  the  Michigan  Eire  and  Marine  until  July,  1892, 
when  the  office  boy  of  1870  became  one  of  the  first  fire  underwriters  of  this  country. 
His  appointment  at  that  time  to  his  present  position  of  General  Agent  of  the  Idienix 
Insurance  Company  was  the  most  important  appointment  that  has  been  made  in  fire 
insurance  in  the  last  two  decades.  Among  agents,  as  among  fire  insurance  officials 
and  general  and  special  agents,  Mr.  Harbeck  has  a very  large  acquaintance  and  as 
many  friends,  all  of  whom  were  well  pleased  with  his  appointment  as  General  Agent, 
and  have  been  well  pleased  with  his  subsecjuent  success. 

As  may  be  seen  by  the  engraving,  Mr.  Harbeck  is  a gentleman  of  strong  physic|ue. 


T li  E UNDER  W R I T 1^:  R. 


1 98 

strong  mind  and  strong  character.  Positive  in  all  he  says  and  does,  possessed  of  rare 
judgment  as  regards  men  and  risks,  and  a rapid  and  indefatigable  worker,  broad - 
gauged  and  far-seeing,  a staunch  friend  to  honest  insurance,  and  an  uncompromising 
foe  to  frauds,  he  is,  naturally  enough,  one  of  the  leading  members  of  the  Western 
Union  of  Fire  Underwriters,  and  prominent  in  all  of  its  deliberations  and  councils.  He 
was  Secretary  of  the  Michigan  State  Board  of  Fire  Underwriters  for  several  years,  and 
during  1892-93  was  the  President  of  the  Fire  Underwriters’  Association  of  the  North- 
west, the  largest  social  organization  of  fire  underwriters  in  the  world.  Mr.  Ilarbeck 
belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity,  is  a member  of  the  Union  League  and  other  clubs 
in  Chicago  and  elsewhere,  and,  positive  in  politics  as  in  all  else,  has  been  a Republican 
all  his  life. 

lie  was  married  in  Battle  Creek,  iMichigan,  in  March,  1877,  to  Miss  limma  Gray 
Wattles,  whose  family  are  well  known  in  that  State,  and  were  among  its  prominent 
])ioneers.  They  have  one  son,  Jervis,  who  is  a bright  and  promising  young  man,  and 
is  attending  Chicago  iManual  Training  School  Department  of  Chicago  University. 

HARRY  C.  STOCKDELL 

GENERAL  AGENT  OF  THE  SOUITIEASTERN  DEl’ART.MENT  OE  THE  ITIENIX  INSURANCE 

C()^H>AN^■  OE  BROOKLVN. 

Harry  C.  Stockdell  was  born  May  i,  1854,  in  Woodford  County,  Kentucky. 
As  early  as  1869  he  w'as  clerk  in  the  insurance  office  of  J.  W.  Cochran  & Son,  w'ho 
were  then  General  Agents  of  the  Franklin  Insurance  Company  of  Philadelphia  for  the 
entire  South.  In  1875  he  moved  to  Atlanta,  Georgia,  and  held  a position  with  Messrs. 
Low,  Putnam  & Low,  who  were  then  General  Agents  for  the  New  Orleans  iMutual 
Insurance  Association,  which  wtis  composed  of  several  local  New  Orleans  companies, 
which  issued  joint  policies.  His  first  service  in  the  held  was  as  Special  Agent  of  the 
Georgia  Home,  and  following  in  similar  service  with  the  Petersburg  Savings  and  Insurance 
Company  of  Virginia,  the  Insurance  Company  of  North  America,  under  Captain  Edward 
S.  Gay,  Manager,  the  Oueen  Insurance  Company  of  England,  until,  in  1882,  he  was 
appointed  Special  Agent  of  the  Phenix  of  Brooklyn.  On  January  i,  1885,  he  was 
made  General  Agent  of  the  Southeastern  Department  of  the  Phenix,  which  position  he 
has  held  since  that  lime — twelve  years.  He  served  as  an  Alderman  in  the  General 
Council  in  the  city  of  Atlanta  during  the  years  1884,  1885  and  1886.  During  that 
time  he  wxis  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Eire  Masters.  In  this  position  he  aided  very 
largely  in  the  establishment  of  a paid  fire  department,  and  it  was  through  his  influence 
that  the  jn'esent  efficient  chief,  Captain  W.  R.  Joyner,  was  put  in  charge.  In  December, 
1892,  Mr.  Stockdell  w'as  again  elected  to  the  City  Council,  to  serve  as  Councilman  from 
the  Second  Ward,  and  for  the  years  1893  '894  was  Chairman  of  the  Einance 

Committee  of  the  city  government. 

In  January,  1896,  he  was  elected  a member  of  the  Board  of  Police  Commissioners 
of  the  city  of  Atlanta,  and  served  in  that  capacity  for  three  years.  He  is  president 
of  several  institutions  and  social  clubs,  having  been  the  organizer  and  first  President 
of  the  Capital  City  Clul).  He  has  devoted  very  much  of  his  spare  time  to  Masonry, 
and  has  the  honor  of  having  received  every  degree  in  both  the  York  and  Scottish 
i4t:es — being  at  this  time  a 33d  Degree  iMason. 

He  is  very  active  in  the  affairs  of  the  Southeastern  Tariff  Association,  and  aided 
very  largely  in  the  organization  of  that  institution. 


1).  W.  C.  SKILTON 


PRESIDENT  OF  THE  PIKENIX  INSURANCE  COMPANY,  OE  HARTFORD,  CONNECTICUT. 

Necessity  sharpened  the  wits  and  broadened  the  mentality  of  the  many  emigrants 
who  docked  to  this  country  from  the  old  world  in  early  times,  and  it  left  its  imprint 
on  succeeding  generations  even  unto  the  present  day.  Among  those  who  have  achieved 
positions  of  eminence  liy  reason  of  their  unswerving  integrity  and  conspicuous  ability, 
none  are  more  worthy  of  prominent  mention  than  I).  W.  C.  Skilton,  who,  like  many 
of  his  contemporaries  among  the  successful  business  men  of  the  present  epoch,  traces 
his  ancestry  to  old  colonial  stock. 

Mr.  Skilton  is  a product  of  Plymouth,  Litchfield  County,  Connecticut,  born  January 
II,  1839,  and  came  of  a worthy  jieople  who  were  first  prominent  in  the  development  of 
Connecticut  colony  and  later  of  the  State.  When  still  a mere  lad  he  entered  upon  a 
business  career  as  a clerk  in  a dry  goods  house  of  Hartford,  but  a few  years  later 
decided  to  devote  his  life  to  fire  underwriting.  His  first  duties  in  this  line  began  in 
October,  1861,  as  a clerk  in  the  Hartford  Fire  Insurance  Company,  but  in  the  following 
year  he  responded  to  the  call  of  his  country  and  became  a lieutenant  of  the  2 2d  Kegi- 
ment  of  Connecticut  \Mlunteers.  In  1863  he  received  honorable  discharge,  returned  to 
his  former  occupation,  and  December  i,  1867,  was  made  Secretary  of  the  Phoenix 
Insurance  Company,  of  Hartford,  a jiosition  he  ably  filled  for  twenty-one  years.  From 
August  I,  1888,  to  the  following  September  ii,  he  served  as  \dce-President  and  Sec- 
retary, after  which  he  was  made  Vice-President  and  acting  President,  and  finally  on 
I'ebruary  2,  1891,  was  made  the  chief  officer  of  the  company  in  fact  as  well  as  in 

name. 

The  Phoenix  is  regarded,  and  justly  so,  as  one  of  the  greatest  fire  insurance  com- 
panies of  America,  and  its  policies  are  found  in  the  places  of  business  and  the  homes 
of  the  rich  and  poor  alike.  Since  the  connection  of  Mr.  Skilton  with  the  company  in 
the  several  capacities  about  $30,000,000  have  been  paid  out  to  indemnify  those  who 
have  suftered  from  fire,  and  the  capital  stock  has  been  raised  to  $2,000,000,  while  the 
assets,  $5,218,499.47,  are  increasing  in  greater  proportion  than  the  capital. 

Mr.  Skilton  has  been  closely  identified  with  the  great  development  of  fire  under- 
writing in  this  country,  and  particularly  with  the  success  of  the  company  with  which  he 
is  connected,  and  his  own  interests  were  never  considered  when  those  of  his  company 
were  in  question.  His  life  has  been  devoted  to  his  work  and  his  loyalty  to  every  in- 
terest committed  to  his  care  has  led  him  to  assume  burdens  from  which  many  men 
would  have  shrunk,  but  his  shoulders  have  fitted  themselves  to  his  load  and  every  duty 
has  been  discharged  with  painstaking  precision. 

From  1881  to  1883  Mr.  Skilton  was  Secretary  of  the  National  Board  of  Fire 
Plnderwriters,  \dce-President  from  1884  to  1890,  and  was  then  I’resident  for  three  years, 
at  the  end  of  which  time  he  declined  a re-election.  While  thus  connected  his  work 
was  important  and  ably  performed,  but  his  happiest  hours  have  been  spent  in  his  own 
office  in  connection  with  the  Phcenix  Insurance  Company.  He  was  a member  of  the 
committee  which  prejiared  the  New  York  standard  policy,  which  has  been  accepted  as 
a model  in  many  of  the  other  States.  Mr.  Skilton  has  been  a potent  factor  in  the 
business  life  of  Hartford  and  he  is  one  of  the  Corporators  and  Trustees  of  the  State 
Savings  Bank,  and  is  one  of  the  Directors  of  the  Hartford  National  Bank.  Socially  he 
has  connected  himself  with  the  Military  Order  of  the  Loyal  Legion,  of  the  Grand  Army 
of  the  Kepublic,  and  of  the  Hartford  Club. 


‘JOB 


> 


202 


T HE  UNDER  W RITE  R. 


Mr.  Skilton  has  received  the  liighest  honors  it  is  possible  to  bestow  on  an  under- 
writer in  this  country,  and  of  him  it  cannot  be  said  that  the  company  has  made  the 
man,  for  he  is  possessed  of  such  (|ualities  as  to  win  him  respect  and  confidence  in 
whatsoever  sjfiiere  he  might  be  placed. 


J.  HALSEY  DE  WOLE 

I'RF.SIDENT  OK  THK  PROVIDENXE  W.VSII  IX(;T(  )N  IXSUR.\XCE  CO.MI’AXV  OE  RR(  )VIDEXCE, 

RHODE  ISLAXD. 

|.  Halsey  De  Wolf  was  born  at  Bristol,  Rhode  Island,  November  23,  1836.  His 
parents  were  Dr.  John  James  De  Wolf  and  Annette  Halsey  De  Wolf  (nee  Winthrop), 
and  through  the  mother  his  descent  is  direct  from  (iovernor  Winthrop  of  Colonial 
fame. 

Mr.  De  WMlf’s  education  was  obtained  in  private  and  public  schools,  and  at 
lE'own  Ibiiversity,  in  Providence.  After  leaving  college,  he  passed  a winter  in  Cuba, 
and,  u})on  his  return,  he  commenced  his  business  training  in  the  mercantile  house  of 
Messrs.  Lawrence  Stone  & Co.,  who  failed  in  the  jranic  of  1857.  He  then  took  an  extended 
trip  through  the  Southern  States,  and  in  1858  he  entered  the  office  of  the  Gaspee 
fibre  and  Marine  Insurance  Company.  He  was  soon  called  to  the  office  of  the 
Humboldt  fibre  Insurance  Company  of  New  York,  and  in  i860  he  was  elected  Assistant 
Secretary  of  the  Providence  Washington  Insurance  Company. 

In  1863  he  was  chosen  President  of  the  American  Insurance  Company  of  Providence, 
which  company  was  successful  until  the  Chicago  fire  in  1871,  which  caused  such  wide- 
spread ruin,  forced  it  to  retire  from  business. 

He  was  then  made  fi’resident  of  the  Newjiort  fi'ire  and  blarine  Insurance  Company, 
and  when,  upon  the  death  of  Mr.  John  Kingslniry  in  1875,  the  Providence  Washingotn 
and  the  Newport  were  merged  into  one,  Mr.  De  Wolf  became  President  of  the 
consolidated  companies,  which  kept  the  name  of  the  older  institution,  the  Providence 
Washington  having  been  organized  in  the  year  1799. 

Since  1875,  Mr.  De  Wolf  has  retained  the  office  of  President,  and  the  business 
of  the  compaii}'  in  lioth  its  fire  and  marine  branches  has  been  widely  and  profitably 
extended. 

During  the  Civil  Wbir  he  saw  service  as  a jirivate  with  the  loth  Regiment,  Rhode 
Island  Volunteers. 

Mr.  De  Wolf  has  never  held  public  office,  but  has  been  associated  with  numerous 
lioards  and  societies,  and  he  is  at  present  a member  of  the  Ifxecutive  Council  of  the 
Providence  Board  of  Trade. 

He  has  always  been  connected  with  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  and  he  is 
a vestryman  of  St.  John’s  Church  in  Providence. 


CHARLES  DENISON  DUNLOP 

.^E■\XA(;ER  OE  WES'l'ERX  I ) E I’A  R'l’M  EXT  OE  l'RO\Il)EXCE  WASIIIXGTOX  IXSURAXCE  COMEAXV. 

The  story  of  a life  of  a successful  man,  however  sketchily  portrayed  and  however 
skillfully  told,  is  always  an  interesting  and  useful  one,  and  always  disappointing  because 
of  its  lack  of  detail,  'fihe  force  of  well  directed  energy,  unceasing  effort  and  decided 


204 


T II  E UN  I)  E 14  W RITE  R. 


purpose  is  strikingly  illustrated  in  the  career  of  Charles  D.  Dunlop,  who  holds  the 
responsible  position  of  Manager  of  the  Western  Department  of  the  Providence  Wash- 
ington Insurance  Company.  Careful  in  detail,  faithful  in  practice,  and  prompt  to  act, 
he  hlls  his  present  position  in  a manner  that  inspires  enthusiasm. 

Mr.  Dunlop  is  a native  ot  Missouri,  born  in  Lexington,  January  i8,  1863,  but 
since  the  spring  of  1895  has  been  a resident  of  Kenwood,  Chicago.  His  father. 
Right  Rev.  George  K.  Dunlop,  S.  T.  1).,  Episcopal  Bishop  of  New  Mexico,  was  born 
in  Ireland  of  Scotch  parentage.  His  mother,  Mary  W.  (Cobb)  Dunlop,  was  born  in 
Tarrytown,  New  York,  and  is  descended  from  a prominent  old  New  England  family 
that  settled  in  Connecticut  prior  to  the  Revolutionary  War.  During  his  boyhood  days 
Charles  I).  Dunlop  attended  the  schools  of  St.  Eouis  and  later  those  of  Philadelphia. 
He  took  a special  course  in  chemistry  and  mining,  and  after  leaving  college  took  up 
the  calling  of  analytical  chemistry  and  assaying  in  Leadville,  Colorado,  in  1882. 

His  first  experience  in  the  insurance  line  was  in  Denver,  1884,  when  he  entered 
the  office  of  Cobb,  Wilson  d:  Company,  of  that  city.  In  1886  he  entered  the  service 
of  the  Traders’  Insurance  Comjrany  of  Chicago,  as  Special  Agent  in  Illinois  and  Missouri, 
but  changed,  in  1888,  to  the  same  position  with  the  Commercial  Union  Assurance 
Company,  having  charge  of  Colorado,  Wyoming,  New  Mexico  and  Kansas.  Impelled 
by  excellent  and  praiseworthy  amlfition,  he  soon  displayed  more  than  the  ordinary 
ability  for  the  lousiness,  and,  being  placed  in  positions  of  trust  and  responsibility,  grew 
familiar  with  the  financial  processes  which  mold  the  features  of  a great  and  successful 
corporation. 

On  the  ist  of  October,  1891,  he  was  appointed  Manager  of  the  Mountain 
Department  of  the  Providence  Washington  Insurance  Company,  with  headquarters  at 
Denver.  On  the  ist  of  May,  1895,  Mountain  Department  was  consolidated  with 

the  Western  Department  and  Mr.  Dunlop  was  transferred  to  Chicago,  where  he  assumed 
charge  of  the  Western  Dejiartment,  which  had  been  greatly  enlarged.  Mr.  Dunlop's 
travels  have  been  confined  to  a pretty  extensive  accjuaintance  with  the  Phiited  States. 
Mexico  and  Canada. 

His  marriage  with  Miss  Rosemary  Conwell,  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  was  celebrated  in 
the  year  1892,  and  has  resulted  in  the  birth  of  two  children,  I)oth  girls. 


GEORGE  W.  BURCHELL 

SKCRltTARV  OF  QUEEN  INSURANCE  COMPANV  OE  AMERICA,  NEW  VORK. 

As  the  living  present  ever  excites  a livelier  interest  than  the  past,  so  something 
about  the  gentlemen  who  are  the  officers  of  this  substantial  concern  comes  more  than 
apropos.  The  career  of  iMr.  George  W.  Burchell,  Secretary  of  the  Oueen  Insurance 
Comiiany  of  America,  is  one  worthy  of  emulation  on  the  jiart  of  3’ounger  underwriters. 
He  has  achieved  success  b}’  honest  work,  and  his  clean  methods,  sound  judgment  and 
unusual  cajiabilities  have  won  the  resjiect  and  confidence  of  all.  His  services  in  his 
jiresent  position  have  recjuired  great  discretion,  good  temper  and  superior  ability,  all 
possessed  in  an  unusual  degree  by  Mr.  Burchell. 

He  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  New  York.  i\Iay  31,  1850,  and  is  at  present  a resident 
of  that  city.  In  the  jniblic  schools  of  Brookh  n he  received  a good  practical  education, 
and  subsecpiently  started  out  to  fight  life’s  battles  for  himself  as  an  office  boy  with  the 


20(5 


THE  U N I ) E R W R I T E R. 


Niagara  Insurance  Company,  of  New  "\’ork.  This  was  in  November,  1864,  and  he  remained 
with  this  company  until  August,  1S69,  when  he  gave  up  the  insurance  business  and 
began  a mercantile  career.  This  he  followed  with  fair  success  until  November,  1871, 
when  his  love  for  the  fire  insurance  business  overcame  his  desire  for  merchandising  and 
he  went  with  the  Phenix  Insurance  Company  of  Brooklyn  in  an  office  capacity. 

In  january,  1874,  he  began  traveling  for  the  Phenix  as  Special  Agent,  and  carried 
on  the  business  of  the  company  in  a very  satisfactory  manner  until  May,  1881,  when 
he  went  with  the  Oueen  of  Liverpool  as  General  Agent.  In  1887  he  was  appointed 
Deputy  Manager  of  the  same  company,  and  retained  that  position  and  title  until  the 
retirement  of  the  Oueen  in  1891.  At  that  date  the  Queen  Insurance  Company  of 
America  was  organized  and  started  business.  Mr.  Burchell's  experience  in  insurance 
lines  and  his  far-sightedness  caused  him  to  l)ecome  connected  with  this  institution.  He  was 
one  of  the  original  incorporators  of  that  company  and  one  of  the  original  directors. 
He  was  also  elected  Secretary  of  the  Oueen  of  America  at  its  organization,  and  that 
position  retains  at  the  present  time.  The  Oueen  commenced  business  November  i, 
1891,  reinsuring  the  outstanding  American  and  Canadian  business  of  the  Oueen  of  Liv- 
erpool, and  being  in  fact  the  company’s  successor  in  this  country. 

James  A.  McDonald,  the  American  Manager  of  the  Oueen,  was  elected  President 
of  the  new  company,  with  Edward  ¥.  Beddall,  \hce-President,  and  George  W.  Burchell, 
Secretai'}',  as  before  mentioned.  The  Directors  are:  Samuel  Sloan,  Frederick  D.  Tappen, 
Rosewell  G.  Rolston,  John  Sinclair,  James  Stillman,  Osgood  Welsh,  David  Bingham, 
Henry  Hentz,  William  B.  Kendall,  William  Nash,  Edward  F.  Beddall,  George  W. 
Burchell,  James  A.  McDonald  and  Joseph  M.  Rogers.  The  capital  stock  is  $500,000 
and  surplus  $1,000,000. 

Aside  from  his  duties  in  the  insurance  line,  Mr.  Burchell  has  found  time  to  take 
part  in  all  enterprises  for  the  advancement  of  Brookl}’n  and  for  the  good  of  the  com- 
munity. He  is  a director  of  the  Brooklyn  Salvage  Corps  and  is  interested  in  other 
directions.  In  his  social  relations  he  has  been  prominent  and  influential.  He  became 
a member  of  the  Aurora  Grata  Lodge,  Masonic  P'raternit}’,  in  1879,  and  in  1880  De 
Witt  Clinton  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  and  the  De  Witt  Clinton  Commandery, 
Knights  Templar,  in  the  last  named  year.  He  is  also  a member  of  Kismet  Temple, 
of  Brooklyn,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S.,  having  joined  the  same  in  1893.  political 

views  Mr.  Burchell  is  a staunch  advocate  of  Republican  principles  and  has  always  been 
interested  in  the  welfare  of  that  party.  He  is  progressive  in  his  views,  well  read  and 
well  posted  on  all  interesting  topics,  and  a man  of  influence. 


SAMUEL  YOER  TUPPER 

S(JUTIIKRN  MANAGER  OF  (,)UEFX  INSURANCE  COMPANY  OK  A.MERICA. 

'S’outh  is  the  great  stimulator,  the  feeder,  the  tonic  of  the  mighty  system  and 
network  of  commercial  and  financial  enterprise.  Wdiilst  age  furnishes  the  trunk  of 
the  tree,  youth  is  the  verdure  that  causes  the  leaves  to  burst  forth  and  instill  the 
industrial  ]xith  with  new  vim  and  energy,  'bins  fact  is  essentially  felt  in  the  insurance 
world,  where  one  of  the  youngest  and  most  active  operators  is  Samuel  Y.  Tupper, 
Southern  Manager  of  the  Oueen  Insurance  Comjxmy.  At  an  early  age  he  has 
achieved  that  success  in  his  jn'ofession  which  for  a life  time  men  often  strive  in  vain. 


208 


THE  UNDER  W RITE  R. 


That  he  should  have  enjoyed  this  great  fortune  among  so  many  competitors  is  of  itself 
abundant  testimony  of  his  excellent  abilities. 

Mr.  Tupper  was  born  in  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  and  there  his  early  boyhood 
was  passed.  He  belongs  to  the  well  known  South  Carolina  family  of  that  name,  and  is 
a son  of  the  late  Samuel  Y.  Tupper  who  for  many  years  was  President  of  the  Charles- 
ton (S.  C. ) Chamber  of  Commerce  and  a prominent  local  underwriter  of  that  city.  Our 
subject  graduated  from  the  University  of  Nashville,  Tennessee,  and  his  first  experience 
in  the  insurance  business  was  in  his  father’s  general  office  where  for  several  years  he 
served  an  apprenticeship,  as  it  were.  Finally  he  was  admitted  into  the  firm  under  the 
hrm  title  of  S.  Y.  Tupper  & Son. 

Later  he  retired  from  the  hrm  and  in  1884  was  appointed  Special  Agent  of  the 
Southeastern  Department  of  the  Phenix  of  Brooklyn,  having  immediate  supervision  over 
\brginia  and  the  Carolinas.  In  this  position  he  was  eminently  successful.  After  eight 
years  on  the  road  for  the  company,  or  in  1891,  he  was  called  by  the  unanimous  vote 
of  the  Southeastern  Tariff  Association  to  the  important  office  of  Secretary  of  the  asso- 
ciation. In  the  same  year  he  moved  to  Atlanta,  Georgia,  to  assume  charge  of  the 
office  which  he  held  until  July,  1894.  It  was  during  his  incumbency  that  the  association 
reached  the  highest  point  of  importance  and  efficiency,  and  it  was  during  that  time  that 
its  territory  was  extended  to  cover  Virginia  and  Louisiana. 

In  1894  declined  a renomination  as  secretary,  in  order  to  accept  the  position 
as  Manager  of  the  Central  and  Southern  Department  of  the  Queen,  then  newly  estab- 
lished at  Atlanta,  and  that  position  he  is  now  holding.  His  field  comprises  the  States 
of  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  Georgia,  Alabama,  Mississippi,  Virginia,  North  and  South 
Carolina,  Louisiana,  Texas,  Florida,  Arkansas,  Oklahoma  and  Indian  Territory.  The 
department  handles  about  #450,000  to  #500,000  business  annually  and  is  favorably  located 
at  all  desirable  points  where  he  can  retain  a strong  hold  upon  the  agents.  In  May, 
1896,  Mr.  Tupper  was  unanimously  elected  to  the  presidency  of  the  Southeastern 
Tariff  Association. 

This  but  a brief  account  of  the  life  of  this  young  gentleman  who  has  run  the  gamut 
of  his  profession  and  who  has  filled  with  honor  and  ability  almost  every  grade.  Mr. 
Tupper  is  a fine  underwriter,  convincing  debater,  and  his  conversation  is  both  brilliant 
and  entertaining.  It  is  only  necessary  to  add  that  in  private  life  his  success  has  been 
as  great  as  in  public,  for  he  enjoys  to  the  full  all  the  happiness  that  belongs  to  domestic 
life. 


HON.  FREDERICK  COOK 

TRESIDENT  OF  THE  ROCHESTER  GERMAN  INSURANCE  COMPANY. 

lion.  Frederick  Cook's  career,  as  distinguished  as  it  has  been  successful,  affords  an 
illustration  how.  under  the  United  States  form  of  government,  even  the  humblest  citizen 
may  attain  the  highest  positions  of  honor  and  trust.  His  life  is  an  example  of  a self- 
made  man,  his  work  the  result  of  his  individual  efforts,  and  his  achievements  the  crown- 
ing glory  of  youthful  struggles. 

Mr.  Cook's  birth  occurred  December  2,  1833,  at  Wbldbad,  WYiertemberg,  Ger- 

man ^•.  hi  IS  father,  a contractor  and  a man  of  rare  personal  characteristics,  placed  his 
son  in  one  of  the  best  schools  of  the  neighborhood,  with  a view  of  giving  him  a thorough 
collegiate  training.  When  I'rederick  was  tv’elve  years  old  his  father  died  and  he  was 


k 


210 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


thrown  on  his  own  resources.  In  1848  he  came  to  this  country,  resided  a short  time 
witli  a married  sister  in  IRdlalo  and  in  Batavia,  but  later  settled  in  Rochester,  New 
York,  which  has  since  been  his  home.  For  many  years  he  was  conductor  on  a railroad, 
but  he  tendered  his  resignation  in  1871,  after  laying  the  foundation  for  his  fortune.  In  1872 
he  crossed  the  ocean  to  his  old  home  in  the  Black  Forest,  and  this  has  been  his  habit 
nearly  every  year  since. 

lie  has  been  a stanch  Democrat  all  his  life,  and  the  offices  he  has  held  have 
been  numerous.  In  1870  he  was  appointed  Excise  Commissioner  of  Rochester,  After- 
ward he  was  aj:>pointed  Judge  Advocate  with  rank  of  Colonel  of  7th  Division,  N.  G. 
S.  N.  Y.,  and  in  1875  he  was  made  Assistant  Adjutant  General  and  Chief  of  Staff  of 
th  e same  Division.  For  five  years  he  was  Vice-President  of  the  Bartholomay  Brewing 
Company,  but  after  this  was  bought  up  by  an  English  syndicate,  Mr.  Cook  was  made 
President,  a position  he  still  holds.  In  January,  1876,  he  w'as  made  President  of  the 
Rochester  German  Insurance  Company,  and  was,  in  January  last  (1896),  re-elected  for 
the  twenty-first  time.  He  was  a delegate  to  the  Democratic  National  Convention 
at  St.  Eouis  which  nominated  Samuel  J.  Tilden  for  President,  and  in  1880  he 
officiated  in  a similar  capacity  in  Cincinnati,  where  he  served  as  Vice-President,  repre- 
senting the  State  of  New  ’Wrk. 

Mr.  Cook  has  been  President  of  the  Rochester  Driving  Park  Association,  is  one 
of  the  Commissioners  of  Mt.  Hope  Cemetery,  has  been  on  the  Elevated  Road  Com- 
mission, and  in  1880  he  became  Trustee  of  the  Rochester  Savings  Bank,  which  position 
he  still  holds.  He  has  been  twice  appointed  Manager  of  Western  Home  of  Refuge, 
and  is  now  President  of  the  German  American  Bank  of  Rochester,  which  is  one  of  the 
soundest  financial  institutions  of  that  city.  In  1885  he  was  elected  Secretaiy  of  State 
by  a majority  of  14,608  votes  over  Colonel  Anson  S.  Wood.  He  was  unanimously 
re-nominated  in  1887  and  elected  over  Colonel  Erederick  Grant  by  a plurality  of  17,677, 
bavins  the  hishest  numlier  of  votes  on  the  Democratic  ticket. 

In  Eebruary,  1887,  he  was  elected  President  of  the  Rochester  Title  Insurance 
Company  and  still  occupies  that  position.  The  same  year  he  was  chosen  a life  member 
of  the  N.  Y.  S.  Agricultural  Society,  and  Corresponding  Member  of  Oneida  County 
Historical  Society.  After  declining  another  nomination  as  Secretary  of  State  in  1890, 
he  retired  from  politics  and  attends  to  his  large  and  varied  business  interests.  Just 
before  retiring  from  office  Governor  Hill,  in  behalf  of  himself  and  other  state  officers 
presented  him  with  a costly  gold  watch  with  chime  attachments.  I’erhaps  the  crowning 
mark  of  universal  esteem  in  Mr.  Cook’s  brilliant  political  career  was  manifest  at  the 
Democratic  State  Convention  in  1894,  when  he  was  solicited  to  accept  the  nomination 
for  Governor  of  New  York  State,  which  he  declined.  In  June,  1891,  he  was  appointed 
one  of  the  managers  of  the  Rochester  State  Hospital  and  upon  the  organization  of  the 
board  was  elected  President,  to  which  position  he  has  been  elected  each  year  since. 

k'ebruary  17,  1862,  he  joined  the  Masonic  Eraternity,  \’alley  Eodge,  No.  109.  He 
is  a charter  member  of  Ionic  ChajAer,  No.  201,  and  Cyrene  Commandery,  K.  T., 
and  was  a charter  member  of  Rochester  Lodge  of  Perfection.  He  is  also  a member 
of  Rochester  Council,  Princes  of  Jerusalem,  and  was  created  Sublime  Prince  of  the  Royal 
Secret,  32d  degree,  in  Rochester  Sovereign  Consistory.  During  1874  and  1875  he  served 
as  President  of  Rochester  Maennerchor,  became  a member  of  Liederkranz  in  1892,  was 
made  an  honorary  member  of  Seeley  Citizens’  Corps,  January,  1887,  and  of  the  Albany 
Excelsior  Corps  in  1888.  He  is  a member  of  the  Rochester  Historical  Society,  and  in 


212 


T HE  UNDERWRITER. 


February,  1893,  he  presented  Peissner  Post,  No.  106,  G.  A.  R.,  with  a handsomely 
Ijound  memorial  book,  one  of  the  finest  works  of  the  kind  in  existence. 

In  1853  Mr.  Cook  married  Aliss  Catherine  Yaky,  of  Rome,  New  York,  who  died  in 
1864.  In  1865  he  married  Miss  Barbara  Ague,  his  present  wife.  He  has  but  one  child, 
a daughter,  married  to  i\Ir.  Augustus  Masters  MacDonald. 

Mr.  Cook  is  a director  and  stockholder  in  “a  number  of  railroad  companies,  and 
is  President  of  the  Office  Specialty  Manufacturing  Company.  On  the  1 5th  of  January, 
1896,  on  the  completion  of  his  twenty  years’  service  as  President  of  the  Rochester 
German  Insurance  Company,  he  gave  a banquet  to  the  directors  of  the  five  companies 
over  which  he  presides.  The  banquet  was  a most  elaborate  affair  at  the  Genesee 
\'alley  Club.  After  various  toasts  had  been  responded  to,  the  oldest  member  of,  and  in 
behalf  of,  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Rochester  German  Insurance  Company  pre-  * 
sented  Mr.  Cook  with  a beautiful  gold  medal,  on  which  were  appropriate  inscriptions. 


FREDERICK  GOETZMANN 

VICE-PRESIDENT  OF  THE  ROCIIE.STER  GERMAN  INSURANCE  COMPANY. 

The  Rochester  German  Insurance  Company  has,  from  the  start,  been  favored  in 
its  officers  with  men  of  sterling  integrity  and  ripe  experience.  The  physiognomies  of  these 
men  are  in  themselves  the  best  recommendation  the  company  could  have.  Some  of 
them  stand  as  thoroughly  for  honesty  and  faithfulness  in  every  obligation  as  do  the 
vignettes  of  the  Presidents  on  the  bank  notes  of  the  national  currency.  Prominent 
among  those  who  have  made  a name  in  insurance  circles  is  F'rederick  Goetzmann, 
Vice-President  of  the  Rochester  German  Insurance  Company.  Pie  was  born  at  Ritters- 
hoffen,  Alsace,  June  18,  1828,  and  for  many  years  now  has  been  a resident  of 
Rochester,  New  York.  His  parents  were  agriculturists,  and  up  to  the  time  he  left 
home,  when  fifteen  years  old,  young  Goetzmann  had  received  but  a common  school 
education.  He  first  went  to  Nancy,  where  he  remained  a year,  and  then  to  Paris, 
where  he  was  employed  for  two  years. 

In  1847  he  came  to  America,  settled  in  Rochester,  and  was  first  in  the  grocery 
business  under  the  firm  name  of  Dufner  & Goetzmann.  Later  he  carried  on  the 
business  alone,  but  left  the  wholesale  grocery  business  in  1857,  and  from  that  time 
until  1885  in  the  wholesale  liquor  business.  He  has  handled  bonded  whiskies  to 
a large  extent,  and  the  firm  of  E.  Goetzmann  & Sons  has  controlled  the  products  of 
three  different  distilleries,  as  follows;  Springwater  Distillery  Company,  Bowling  Green, 
Kentucky;  I'erncliff  Distillery  Company,  Louisville,  Kentucky,  and  the  Goetzmann 
Distillery  Company,  Lane  Station,  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  Goetzmann  is  a charter  member  of  the  Rochester  German  Insurance  Com- 
pany, and  has  been  a Director  of  the  same  from  its  organization,  serving  always  on 
the  P'inance  Committee,  of  which  he  has  been  Chairman  for  twenty  years,  and  which 
jiosition  he  still  holds.  He  was  elected  \hce-President  of  the  company  in  1892,  and, 
while  Mr.  Cook  is  in  lyurope  each  year,  Mr.  Goetzmann’s  duties  bring  him  in  close 
contact  with  the  company,  and  his  good  judgment  is  valued. 

Ibitil  1884  Mr.  Goetzmann  had  been  a Republican,  but  from  that  time  up  to 
the  jiresent  he  has  voted  the  Democratic  ficket.  He  has  never  been  an  active 
politician,  the  only  office  of  a political  nature  that  he  ever  filled  being  that  of  School 


7 


214 


T H E U X I)  E R W R I T E R. 


Commissioner  for  his  ward.  Brouglit  up  in  the  Lutheran  Church,  he  has  never  been 
a regular  attendant  at  any  other.  i\t  the  present  time  he  is  \dce-President  of  the 
German  American  Bank;  is  a Director  and  Secretary  of  the  Bartholomay  Brewery 
Company:  is  a Director  of  the  Title  Insurance  Company  of  Rochester,  and  is  interested 
in  electric  railroad  enterprises. 

Mr.  Goetzmann  was  married  in  1851  to  Miss  Salome  Feiock,  and  they  have  had 
ten  children,  all  now  living.  The  eldest  son  is  a civil  engineer  in  Denver,  Colorado, 
and  two  of  his  sons  are  associated  with  him  in  business,  while  the  youngest  is  in  their 
employ.  Mr.  Goetzmann  is  quite  a linguist,  speaking  German,  French  and  English 
with  great  fluency.  He  is  of  a pleasant,  social  disposition,  and  has  many  warm  friends 
among  his  business  associates. 


HORACE  FRANKLIN  ATWOOD 

SECRE'I'ARY  OF  THE  ROCHESTER  (iERMAX  INSURANCE  COMPANY. 

One  of  the  most  gratifying  features  of  the  insurance  business  in  the  United  States 
is  the  integrity  and  efliciency  of  those  who  are  called  upon  to  hold  office  in  any  of  the 
large  companies.  Horace  F.  Atwood  is  one  who  reflects  great  credit  upon  this  business 
and  he  now  holds  the  responsible  positition  of  Secretary  of  the  Rochester  German 
Insurance  Company.  He  was  born  in  the  grand  old  State  of  Massachusetts,  in  the 
city  of  Boston,  February  5,  1850,  and  now  resides  in  Rochester,  New  York.  His  father, 
h'rancis  A.  Atwood,  died  in  the  summer  of  1851,  and  his  mother,  Mary  (Snow)  Atwood, 
died  in  the  spring  of  1878. 

In  tracing  the  genealogy  of  this  family  we  hrst  hear  of  it  in  England  in  1535  and 
in  Massachusetts  in  1621.  Mrs.  Atwood’s  father  traced  his  ancestry  back  to  1700  and 
odd  in  Spain,  and  her  mother’s  family  has  been  traced  continuously  to  1720,  in  IMassa- 
chusetts.  On  both  sides  the  families  were  prominent  in  this  country. 

^’oung  Atwood’s  youth  was  passed  in  the  grammar  school  and  at  Dwight  School, 
Boston,  and  at  an  early  age  he  evinced  a strong  liking  for  natural  history.  When  but 
fourteen  years  old  he  put  aside  his  books  and  began  clerking  in  a store  in  his  native 
citv.  In  the  vear  1870  he  went  to  Chicago  and  entered  in  business  at  the  stock  yards, 
being  bookkeejier  for  a packing  house  until  the  spring  of  1873,  after  which  he  filled 
the  same  position  with  the  hrm  of  Henry  Greenebaum  & Company,  at  that  time 
General  Agents  of  the  Hamburg  Bremen  Insurance  Company.  This  hrm  was  soon 
changed  to  Conrad  Witkowsky  & Company,  and  later  to  that  of  Wdtkowsky  & Afield. 

Mr.  Atwood  continued  with  that  hrm  until  January  i,  1879,  and  during  that  time 
o-ained  a clear  insight  into  the  insurance  business,  and  his  services  were  sought  by 
other  companies.  In  the  fall  of  [879,  at  the  recjiiest  of  the  company,  he  removed  his 
family  to  Rochester,  where  he  has  made  his  home  since.  One  year  later  he  was 
elected  Assistant  Secretary  and  in  May,  1883,  was  elected  Secretary,  a position  he  has 
since  held. 

Mr.  Atwood  was  one  of  the  earliest  members  of  the  First  Regiment  Illinois  State 
Guards,  and  Lieutenant  of  Company  F in  that  regiment.  He  was  Secretar}'  of  the 
State  Microscopical  Society  of  Illinois;  Secretary  of  the  American  Congress  of  Micro- 
scoj'tists  at  Indianapolis  in  1878;  \’ice-Ih'esident  of  the  American  Society  of  Microscopists 
1 88s;  for  two  terms  was  President  of  the  Rochester  Academy  of  Science:  a Fellow  of 


T I I E UNDE  R W RITE  R. 


21() 


the  Royal  ^Microscopical  Society  of  London;  Member  of  Yonondio  Lodge,  A.  V.  and 
A.  M.:  11  amilton  Chapter  and  Monroe  Commandery,  and  also  a member  of  the  Ancient 
Order  of  United  Workmen.  February  i,  1896,  he  was  elected  President  of  Rochester 
Club.  Mr.  Atwood  was  President  of  the  12th  Wfard  Hose  Company;  an  honorary 
member  of  Seeley  Citizens’  Corps,  and  is  ex-President  of  Rochester  Board  of  Fire 
Underwriters,  and  is  a director  of  the  Title  Guarantee  Company  of  Rochester. 

He  has  made  two  visits  to  Furope,  the  first  in  1892,  when  accompanied  by  his 

wife,  and  again  in  1S95,  'vhen  he  went  alone.  Mr.  Atwood  was  brought  up  in  the 

Presbyterian  Church  and  has  made  no  change  in  his  faith.  In  politics  he  is  a Republican. 

September  i,  1873,  he  married  Miss  Nellie  Roberts,  daughter  of  Owen  Roberts 

of  Treboth,  North  Wales.  They  have  three  living  children,  the  youngest,  Edward 

Snow  Atwood,  a student  at  the  University  of  Rochester,  New  York.  Mr.  Atwood  has 
a fine  summer  residence,  “Bryn  Hyfryd,”  at  Forest  Lawn,  eleven  miles  from  Rochester 
on  the  shore  of  Lake  Ontario,  and  there  spends  the  summer  months.  Though  a 
“Yankee,”  he  is  a fluent  speaker  of  the  German  language. 


THE  SPRINGFIELD  FIRE  AND  MARINE  INSURANCE  COMPANY 
OF  SPRINGFIELD,  MASSACHUSETTS. 

The  Springfield  I'ire  and  Marine  Insurance  Company  received  its  charter  from  the 
state  legislature  in  March,  1849,  and  in  April,  1851,  was  fully  organized  by  the  election 
of  directors  and  officers.  Edmund  Ereeman  was  chosen  President  and  William  Conner, 
Jr.,  Secretary.  The  issuing  of  policies  commenced  in  July,  1851.  Both  fire  and  marine 
risks  were  written,  but  after  an  experience  of  fifteen  years  the  business  in  the  marine 
department  was  discontinued.  At  first  agencies  were  established  at  only  a few  import- 
ant points  outside  the  state.  The  net  cash  premiums  received  during  the  first  full  year 
(1852)  of  the  company’s  operations  were  $59,  238.  The  premium  receipts  have  increased 
from  year  to  year.  The  year  1861,  the  end  of  the  first  decade,  the  premium  receipts 
were  $174,511.  In  1871,  the  second  decade,  $497,416.  In  1881,  $1,033,700.  In  1891, 
$1,756,222.  In  1895  the  premiums  reached  $2,020,466,  assets,  $3, 845,  145. 1 7. 

The  business  of  the  company  was  profitable  up  to  the  time  of  the  great  fire  in 
Portland,  Maine,  July  4,  1866,  when  the  company  lost  $100,000  leaving  the  assets  only 
$425,000,  which  included  the  capital  of  $300,000.  Directly  after  this  loss  the  company 
increased  its  capital  stock  to  $500,000,  and  was  doing  a fairly  prosperous  business  when 
the  great  fire  in  Chicago  in  October  1871  gave  the  company  losses  amounting  to  $550,- 
000.  This  reduced  the  company’s  assets  to  so  low  a figure  that  it  was  necessary  to 
assess  the  stockholders,  and  65  j)er  cent  of  the  stock  was  assessed.  One  year  later  the 
Boston  fire  occurred,  when  the  company  lost  $260,000.  This  called  for  another  assess- 
ment, and  this  time  for  30  per  cent,  both  assessments  amounting  to  95  per  cent  of  the 
capital  stock. 

These  were  trying  times  indeed,  but  the  company  was  bold  and  courageous,  and 
stockholders  were  ready  to  put  their  hands  in  their  }X)ckets  to  jia}'  the  losses  in  full, 
which  they  did.  d'he  company’s  greatest  prosperity  came  after  this,  and  is  to-day  the 
largest  fir(3  insurance  company  chartered  by  the  state;  in  fact,  has  larger  assets,  and  is 
doing  more  business  than  all  the  other  Massachusetts  stock  fire  companies.  In  1875 


I 


FIRE  AND  MARINE. 


217 


the  capital  stock  of  the  company  was  increased  from  $500,000  to  $600,000;  in  1876 
increased  to  $750,000:  again  in  1887  increased  to  $1,250,000;  again  in  1889  increased  to 
$1,500,000,  and  each  time  from  net  surplus  funds,  the  total  amount  capitalized  being 
$1,000,000.  d'he  total  jmemiums  received  from  the  organization  of  the  company  up  to 
January  i,  1896,  are  $36, 877, 162. 97.  The  total  amount  of  losses  paid  is  $22,549,644.94, 
cash  dividends  $3,254,541.96,  stock  dividends  $1,000,000. 

January  i,  1876,  a Western  Department  of  the  company  was  established  with  head- 
quarters at  Chicago,  Illinois,  under  the  management  of  Mr.  Amos  J.  Harding,  one  of 
the  leading  underwriters  of  the  country,  and  from  his  experience  and  knowledge  of  field 
work  he  was  eminently  fitted  for  the  position,  and  is  ably  assisted  in  the  management 
by  Mr.  A.  F.  Dean,  also  a thoroughly  competent  underwriter.  The  annual  premium 
receipts  from  the  territory  alloted  to  Mr.  Harding  at  the  time  of  his  appointment  were 
about  $100,000,  and  for  the  year  1895,  which  completed  his  twentieth  year,  the  prem- 
iums from  his  department  were  $807,851.34.  The  present  officers  of  the  company  are 
A.  Willard  Damon,  President;  Sanford  J.  Hall,  Secretary;  Wk  J.  Mackay,  Assistant 
Secretary:  Henry  M.  Gates,  Treasurer. 

Marvin  Chapin,  the  prime  mover  in  the  organization  of  the  company,  is  the  only 
one  of  the  original  directors  living,  nowin  his  ninetieth  year,  and  is  still  an  active  mem- 
ber in  the  board. 

Four  Presidents  of  the  compan}’  have  died,  namely,  Edmund  P'reeman,  Dwight 
R.  Smith,  Jarvis  N.  Dunham  and  Andrew  J.  Wd'ight.  No  secretary  of  the  company 
has  died  while  in  office.  The  present  year  completes  thirty  years  service  by  Sanford 
J.  Hall  as  secretary. 

ALONZO  WILLARD  DAMON 

PRESIDENT  OE  SPRINGEIEED  FIRE  AND  MARINE  INSURANCE  COMPANV. 

A service  of  thirty  years  in  an}’  legitimate  vocation  is  one  which  at  once  calls  for 
the  comment  of  the  historian.  In  many  instances  this  means  the  growth  of  mighty 

cities.  It  means  the  looking  back  to  the  time  when  grass  and  tall  trees  waved  where  now' 

stand  palaces  and  magnificent  business  houses.  Alonzo  Wdllard  Damon,  fifth  President 
of  the  Springfield  Fire  and  IMarine  Insurance  Company,  has  had  an  experience  in  the 
insurance  business  running  back  over  a period  of  thirty-four  years,  for  he  began  when 
a lad  as  clerk  for  the  old  Washington  Insurance  Company  of  Boston.  There  he 
worked  up  through  various  grades  of  responsibility  until  he  w'as  made  Secretary  of  its 
successor,  the  Washington  Fire  and  Marine  Insurance  Company,  in  i88o.  On  account 
of  the  ill  health  of  his  son  he  w'as  compelled  to  resign  in  1887,  and  then  went  to  Cali- 
fornia. Returning  the  following  year,  he  was  appointed  Special  Agent  for  New  England 
of  the  Lranklin  Fire  Insurance  Company  of  Philadelphia,  w'hich  position  he  resigned  to 
become  Special  Agent  for  the  Springfield  Fire  and  Marine  Insurance  Comjiany. 

Mr.  Damon’s  predecessors  in  the  executive  chair  of  the  Springfield  Fire  and 

Marine  Insurance  Company  were  Edmund  Lreeman,  Dwight  R.  Smith.  Jarvis  N.  Dun- 
ham and  Andrew  J.  Wdaght.  He  was  connected  with  this  company  from  the  year 

1890,  when  Mr.  Dunham,  learning  of  his  ability,  secured  him  as  Sfiecial  Agent  for 
Eastern  New  England,  with  headquarters  at  Boston.  On  the  promotion  of  Mr.  Wright 
to  the  presidenc}'  in  December  of  that  year  Mr.  Damon  w'as  made  Assistant  Secretarv, 
and  upon  the  decease  of  Mr.  Wright  he  was  called  to  fill  the  executive  chair,  a position 


218 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


he  is  holding  at  the  present  time.  Although  heretofore  i\Ir.  Damon  had  the  title  of 
Assistant  Secretary,  this  title  was  a misnomer,  for  owing  to  the  advanced  age  of  S.  J. 
Hall,  Secretary  of  the  company,  Mr.  Damon  had  been  really  the  second  man  in  the 
office  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Dunham. 

The  Damon  family  trace  their  ancestry  in  this  country  back  to  the  Pilgrims.  The 
hrst  member  of  this  family  to  settle  in  America  was  John  Damon,  who  came  from 
County  Kent,  England,  and  landed  in  Plymouth  in  162 8.  lie  came  with  his  uncle, 
W'illiam  Gilson,  who  was  also  his  guardian,  John  then  being  a minor.  William  Gibson 
is  referred  to  in  the  old  records  as  “a  man  of  education  and  talents,”  and  held  offices 
of  trust  and  responsibility  in  the  colony,  being  “an  assistant  in  the  government,”  or 
member  of  the  Governor’s  Council,  from  1633  to  1638,  except  1635.  In  company  with 
others  he  laid  out  and  settled  the  town  of  Scituate  in  1633.  Three  years  later  he 
erected  the  first  windmill  in  Scituate  plantation,  and  probably  the  first  in  the  colony  of 
Plymouth  or  in  America.  By  an  act  of  the  colonial  government  he  was  allowed  to 
take  “not  over  one-twelfth  part  of  the  toul  of  the  grindings  of  come.”  His  will  pio- 
vided  that  after  his  death,  and  that  of  his  wife,  John  Damon  should  be  his  heir,  and 
as  Gilson  had  grants  of  land  from  the  crown  and  consideral)le  other  property,  it  left 
Damon  in  very  comfortable  circumstances.  He  was  Captain  of  the  Scituate  Company 
of  Colonial  Soldiery  under  Captain  Myles  Standish,  who  commanded  all  the  soldiers  of 
the  Plymouth  colony.  The  latter’s  sons,  John  and  Zachary  Damon,  served  as  soldiers 
in  King  I’hilip’s  war,  John  being  promoted  to  a lieutenancy.  Daniel,  of  the  next  gen- 
eration, was  a man  of  distinction  and  a rejiresentative. 

Alonzo  Willard  Damon  was  born  in  South  Scituate  (now  Norwell),  Massachusetts, 
February  ii,  1847,  Davis  Damon.  In  the  schools  of  Boston  he 

obtained  his  early  education,  and  in  1862  graduated  from  Chapman  Grammar  School, 
l)eing  one  of  four  Franklin  Medal  scholars.  Immediately  afterward  he  entered  the 
office  of  the  Washington  Insurance  Company  of  Boston,  as  above  stated.  It  may  thus 
be  seen  that  Mr.  Damon  has  been  in  the  insurance  business  since  boyhood  and  is 
thoroughly  conversant  with  every  detail  of  the  work.  He  is  now  in  middle  life,  and, 
armed  with  his  ]iast  experience,  has  made  an  excellent  successor  to  Mr.  Wright. 


SANFORD  JACKSON  HAFF 

SECRETARY  OE  THE  SPRlNCiFIELD  FIRE  AND  MARINE  INSURANCE  COMPANY  OF 

S P R I N Cz  F I E L 1 ) , M A S S A C 1 1 U S E ' r T S . 

Sanford  J.  Hall  was  born  in  Grafton,  Massachusetts,  March  31,  1820.  He  is  the 
lineal  descendant  in  the  seventh  generation  of  Edward  Hall,  who  settled  first  in  Salisbury, 
Massachusetts,  in  1636  and  in  1665  was  located  at  Bridgewater,  Massachusetts,  when 
I -54th  part  of  the  town  was  alloted  to  him.  Captain  Samuel  Hall  and  Sophia  King 
Hall,  father  and  mother  of  Sanford  ].  flail,  lived  to  an  advanced  age,  the  father  being 
ninety-one  years  and  the  mother  eighty-five  years,  their  children  numbering  twelve, 
Sanford  ].  being  the  youngest  of  four  sons.  The  line  of  descent  of  the  Hall  family  is 
as  follow's;  Sanford  J.  son  of  Samuel,  son  of  Samuel,  son  of  Josiah,  son  of  John,  son 
of  Andrew,  son  of  f.dward. 

Sanford  j.  Hall,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  lived  at  home  in  the  routine  of  attend- 
ing school  and  farm  work  until  the  age  ot  htteen,  when  he  entered  the  store  of  Dexter, 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


2 -id 

I'ay  & Co.,  at  Southboro,  Massachusetts,  where  he  remained  six  years,  the  first  four 
years  at  a salary  of  fifty  dollars  a year,  or  about  one  shilling  (i6^  cents)  a day, 
money  being  reckoned  in  shillings  and  ]ience  in  those  times,  and  goods  were  so  marked 
and  sold,  ten  and  sixpence  (los.  6d.)  being  $1.75.  A year’s  service  in  those  times  meant 
all  the  days  in  the  year  except  Sundays,  Fast  Day  and  Thanksgiving  Day.  The  only 
vacation  granted  was  one-half  of  “Old  Election”  day,  which  occurred  on  the  last 
W ednesday  in  May  in  each  year.  The  postoffice  was  connected  with  the  store  and  Mr. 
Hall  remembers  that  the  rates  of  postage  on  letters  were  6^,  10,  12^,  18^  and  25 

cents,  according  to  distance  carried.  Wdiat  a revenue  the  government  would  have  to-day 
at  such  rates. 

On  leaving  the  store  at  Southboro  Mr.  Hall  went  as  salesman  into  the  store  of 
II.  1>.  Claflin  & Co.  at  Worcester,  Massachusetts.  In  1843  Mr.  Clafiin  sold  his  interest  and 
established  business  in  New  ^’ork  City  and  the  firm  name  of  H.  B.  Clafiin  & Company 
still  exists.  Subsequently  Mr.  Hall  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  business  under  the  firm  name 
ot  Hall  & Thompson,  closing  out  his  interest  in  1851,  when  he  accepted  the  position  of 
bookkeeper  in  the  office  of  the  People’s  Fire  Insurance  Company  of  Worcester.  In 
1857,  when  the  Massasoit  Insurance  Company  of  Springfield,  Massachusetts,  was  organ- 
ized, he  accepted  a call  to  become  its  bookkeeper.  In  1861  he  was  elected  Secretary 
of  the  company  and  held  the  office  until  1S66,  when  the  company  closed  business  on 
account  of  the  heavy  losses  sustained  in  the  Portland,  IMaine,  fire  of  July  4,  1866.  l\Ir. 
Hall  then  accepted  the  position  of  Assistant  Secretary  in  the  office  of  the  Springfield 
Fire  and  IMarine  Insurance  Company  and  in  1868  was  elected  Secretary  and  holds  this 
office  at  the  present  time  and  completes  thirty  years’  service  with  this  company.  In 
the  meantime  four  of  its  presidents  have  died,  namely,  Edmund  Freeman,  Dwight  R. 
Smith,  Jarvis  N.  Dunham  and  Andrew  J.  WT'ight,  no  secretary  of  the  company  having 
died  while  in  office  during  the  nearly  fifty  years  of  the  company’s  existence.  This  year 
completes  forty-five  years  of  service  in  the  insurance  business  by  Mr.  Hall. 


AMOS  JOSEPH  HARDING 

MANAC.ER  WESTERN  DEI'ART.M  ENT  OF  THE  SPRENGFIELI)  FIRE  AND  ^L\R1NE  INSURANCE  COMI’ANV. 

Amos  Josejfil  Harding,  the  third  son  of  Chauncey  C.  and  Rachel  Story  Harding, 
was  born  on  a farm  in  IMorrow  County,  Ohio,  May  2,  1839. 

Mr.  Harding  is  of  ITiritan  stock,  his  earliest  ancestorshaving  settled  in  the  Massa- 
chusetts colonies  as  early  as  1623.  Two  of  his  great-grandfathers — Joseph  Story  and 
Nathaniel  Kittredge — and  two  great-great-grandfathers — Benjamin  Dows  and  William 
Low — were  soldiers  in  the  Revolutionary  War. 

After  completing  his  education  at  Ohio  Central  College,  IMr.  Harding  taught 
school  four  months,  and,  with  the  slender  capital  of  $140  thus  acquired,  started  out 
into  the  world  to  wrestle  with  the  problems  of  life,  landing  at  Nebraska  Cit}-  in  1857. 
h'or  four  years  he  was  engaged  in  various  employments  but  chiefly  as  a surveyor  of 
government  lands,  his  winters  being  passed  in  clerical  work  and  in  the  study  of  law. 

At  the  outbreak  of  the  war  in  1861,  Mr.  Harding  enlisted  as  a private  in  the 
I'irst  Nebraska  Infantry  X’olunteers.  .\fter  two  years’  service  in  the  ranks,  he  was 
transferred  by  [iromotion  to  the  Sixth  Missouri  Cavalry  as  First  Lieutenant  of  Company 
L.  He  served  for  two  years  on  the  staff  of  Major  General  Clinton  B.  Fisk,  as  Judge 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


222 


Advocate  of  the  Districts  of  St.  Louis  and  North  Missouri,  and  for  six  months  as 
solicitor  for  Freedmen’s  Courts  in  the  Districts  of  Kentucky,  Tennessee  and  North  Alabama. 
In  the  latter  capacity  he  established  and  held  in  the  city  of  Nashville  the  hrst  court 
ever  held  in  Tennessee  wherein  the  black  man  could  testify  against  the  white.  He  was 
twice  promoted  and  brevetted  for  gallant  and  meritorious  ser\ice  during  the  war, 
being  honorably  mustered  out  of  the  service  on  September  26,  1865. 

In  early  life  Mr.  Harding  did  considerable  newspaper  work,  and  was  tendered  the 
position  of  Manager  and  Editor  of  the  Nebraska  Press,  at  that  time  owned  by  the 
Hon.  O.  H.  Irish,  subsecpiently  United  States  Consul  at  Dresden,  and  later  Chief  of 
P)ureau  of  Ihinting  and  Phrgraving.  This  offer  was  declined,  as  Mr.  Harding  preferred 
to  devote  his  entire  time  to  the  l)usiness  of  insurance,  which  was  more  to  his  taste. 
Mr.  Harding  l>uilt  up  one  of  the  most  successful  local  agencies  for  fire  and  life  insurance 
in  the  West,  and  has  repeatedly  declined  the  position  of  Special  Agent  tendered  him  bv 
leading  companies.  The  pressure  ujion  him,  however,  was  so  strong  that  he  was  forced 
to  devote  a portion  of  his  time  to  the  held  work  of  the  companies  he  represented.  In 
1868  he  accepted  a held  position  with  the  Home  Insurance  Company  of  New  York  and 
continued  in  the  service  of  this  company  in  connection  with  his  local  business  for  about 
four  years.  In  1872  he  accepted  the  Western  Special  Agency  of  the  I'henix  of  Brooklyn. 
During  the  four  years  he  remained  with  this  company  its  business  increased  over  400 
per  cent  in  his  territory,  with  a loss  ratio  of  not  exceeding  40  per  cent.  These 
unusuallv  favorable  results  attracted  the  attention  of  the  officers  of  the  Springheld  Fire 
and  IMarine  Insurance  Company,  and  he  was  tendered  the  management  of  a M’estern 
Department  of  that  company,  which  was  accepted  by  him.  The  new  dej'iartment 
embraced  all  States  west  of  Pennsylvania  and  east  of  Idaho,  including  Arkansas  and 
Texas,  with  headquarters  in  Chicago.  Mr.  Harding  organized  and  began  business  in 
the  Western  Department  on  January  i,  1876.  At  that  time  the  cash  capital  of  the 
company  was  $750,000,  with  total  assets  of  $1,390,000;  premium  receipts  amounting 
to  $605,775.  present  time  its  capital  is  $1,500,000;  total  assets  nearly  four 

million,  and  net  premiums  over  two  million  dollars.  To  this  remarkable  growth  the 
Western  Department,  under  Mr.  Harding’s  management,  has  very  largely  contributed. 

As  an  underwriter  he  is  conservative,  aggressive,  and  a hrm  believer  in  organized 
cobperation.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Union  of  MTstern  Managers  organized 
in  1879,  and  has  been  Vice-President  and  President  of  that  organization. 

IMr.  Harding  was  married  in  1864  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Helen  Cowden,  the  daughter 
of  James  H.  and  Margaret  Wallace  Cowden  of  Madison,  Indiana. 

Politicall)",  Mr.  Harding  has  always  been  a Republican,  his  first  vote  being  cast 
for  xVbraham  Lincoln.  He  took  a prominent  part  in  the  political  affairs  of  his  county 
and  State  while  residing  in  Nelu'aska,  and  was  a delegate  to  nearly  ever}'  Republican 
State  convention  from  1867  to  1875.  He  was  President  of  the  State  Soldiers’  and 
Sailors’  Convention  in  March,  1868.  He  was  delegate  to  the  Republican  National  Con- 
vention of  that  year  which  nominated  General  Grant  for  presidency.  He  was  tendered 
the  nomination  of  State  Senator  in  1869,  when  a nomination  was  equivalent  to  an 
election,  but  declined  the  honor  as  he  has  never  been  willing  to  become  a candidate 
for  any  office,  the  only  office  ever  held^  by  him  l)eing  that  of  Commissioner  of  Regis- 
tration in  1866,  in  which  position  he  served  for  three  years.  Of  recent  years  the 
demands  of  business  have  been  so  exacting  that  he  has  taken  no  active  part  in  politics. 

Mr.  Harding’s  religious  views  aie  broad  and  liberal.  He  is  a member  of  no 


FIRE  AND  MARIN  E. 


228 


church  organization,  but  has  been  a regular  church  attendant  all  his  life.  During  the 
past  twenty  years  he  has  attended  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  for  some  years  was 
one  of  the  I8oard  of  Trustees  of  the  Third  Presbyterian  Church  of  Chicago.  While 
attending  this  church,  he  has  always  been  a liberal  giver  to  other  denominations,  and 
his  views  are  broad  enough  to  include  the  belief  that  eternal  life  may  be  found  through 
the  gateways  of  all  churches,  whether  Protestant,  Catholic  or  Hebrew,  and  that  untold 
millions  will  be  found  among  the  redeemed  whose  names  have  never  been  enrolled  upon 
the  books  of  any  church. 

Mr.  Harding  is  a temperance  man  in  practice  and  profession.  In  his  earlier  years 
he  was  an  earnest  worker  in  the  Order  of  Good  Templars.  Through  his  efforts  the 
order  was  extended  and  many  new  lodges  established  in  Nebraska  and  Missouri.  He 
was  a member  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  order  in  both  States,  also  a representative 

from  Nebraska  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  North  America  in  May,  1867,  at  Richmond, 

Indiana,  and  Baltimore  in  1872. 

He  became  a member  of  the  A.  I',  and  A.  M.  in  1866,  and  a Knight  Templar 
in  1875.  Of  military  societies  he  is  a member  of  the  Illinois  Commandery  of  the 
Military  Order  of  the  Loyal  Legion,  also  of  the  Grand  Commandery  of  the  order. 

He  is  a life  member  of  the  Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  of  which  he  has 

been  Vice-President.  He  is  also  a member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic, 
and  of  the  Illinois  Society  of  the  Sons  of  the  American  Revolution,  deriving  his 
membership  in  the  latter  from  lour  direct  ancestors  who  were  soldiers  in  the  War  for 
Independence. 

With  his  domestic  tastes,  Mr.  Harding  cannot  be  called  a club  man,  though  he 
was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Union  League  Club  of  Chicago.  Wdiile  fond  of  friends 
and  social  life,  Mr.  Harding  is  especially  devoted  to  his  home,  his  books  and  his 
family,  where  his  friends  are  always  sure  of  a cordial  welcome.  He  has  a large  and 
well-selected  library,  especially  in  political  and  historical  works.  His  collection  of  the 
history  and  literature  of  the  late  war  is  probably  as  complete  as  can  be  found  in  any 
private  library. 

Mr.  Harding  is  sparing  of  speech,  though  characterized  by  a geniality  of  manner, 
especially  among  his  associates  and  intimate  friends.  On  proper  occasions  he  can  be 
frank  and  candid  almost  to  bluntness  in  the  expression  of  his  views.  He  is  a man 
of  remarkable  self-reliance,  taking  without  hesitation  any  responsibility  that  duty 
demands,  and  has  at  all  times  the  courage  of  his  convictions.  Never  indifferent  to 
the  approbation  and  good  will  of  his  fellows,  he  has  not  sought  popularity  by  methods 
that  his  own  conscience  could  not  approve.  He  is  a man  of  intense  earnestness, 
faithful  and  zealous  in  the  discharge  of  every  duty,  with  conscientious  fidelity  to  the 
smallest  detail.  To  these  characteristics  of  mind  and  character  must  be  attributed  the 
large  measure  of  success  he  has  achieved. 


THE  TRADERS  FIRE  INSURANCE  COMPANY  OE  CHICAGO. 

Among  prominent  insurance  companies  of  the  United  States  the  Traders  Eire 
Insurance  Company  of  Chicago  takes  a prominent  place.  The  comjiany  is  a credit  to 
Chicago  and  the  West,  and  deservedly  enjoys  a widely  extended  patronage  in  all  jiarts 
of  the  country,  and  wherever  knowm  is  counted  among  the  solid  undeiwvriting  insti- 


22i 


T I [ R U N 1 ) E R W R ITER. 


tutions,  of  which  there  are  many  older  and  bigger,  but  none  better  anywhere.  This 
company  was  organized  in  1865,  but  reinsured  its  risks  two  years  later,  retaining, 
however,  its  charter.  In  May,  1872,  it  was  reorganized,  with  a paid-up  capital  of 
$500,000,  and  with  H.  P.  Hutchinson,  the  noted  Board  of  Trade  operator,  as  President, 
and  with  William  E.  Kollo,  well  known  in  insurance  circles,  as  Secretary. 

Wh  en  i\Ir.  Hutchinson  retired  he  was  succeeded  by  Sidney  A.  Kent,  while  in 
1874  Robert  J.  Smith  succeeded  Mr.  Kollo  as  Secretary.  Since  1872  the  company  has 
paid  in  dividends  to  stockholders  $1,122,500,  or  an  average  for  the  whole  period  of  a 
tritie  over  two  and  one-half  per  cent,  quarterly,  ten  per  cent,  per  annum,  which  is 
“good  business,”  and  is,  of  course,  included  in  the  above  total  expenditures.  P'rom 
the  semi-annual  statement  of  the  company  for  the  month  ending  July  i,  1896,  it  is 
shown  that  the  assets  now  stand  at  $1,698,242,  and  the  sui4)lus,  as  regards  policy- 
holders, at  51,154,387,  the  net  surplus  being  $634,387.  The  Traders  has  always  been 
conservative  in  risk  taking  and  been  managed  with  that  clear-headed  underwriting  skill 
which  guarantees  i)rohtable  results,  as  shown  l)y  its  dividend-paying  ability. 

Since  organization  the  company  has  paid  as  indemnity  for  fire  loss  the  large  sum 
of  $6,638, 562,  and  has  managed  to  increase  its  assets  until  they  have  reached  almost 
one  and  three-cjuarters  millions  of  dollars,  with  a net  surplus  ecjual  to  its  net  premium 
income.  Such  a result  is  not  accidental,  but  tjie  outcome  of  genuine  enterprise,  joined 
to  underwriting  ability  of  a high  order,  and  a sound  system  of  financiering,  for  the 
investments  of  the  Traders  have  been  made  with  care  and  looked  after  with  fidelity. 


ROBERT  JORDAN  SMITH 

SFXRK'IARV  OF  'I'llE  TRADERS  INSURANCE  COMPANY  OF  CHICAGO. 

Robert  J.  Smith,  who  for  twenty-two  years  has  been  connected  with  the  Traders 
Insurance  Company  of  Chicago,  is  generally  recognized  as  one  of  the  most  careful  and 
well  informed  insurance  secretaries  in  the  country,  and  it  is  a position  that  nowadays 
in  so  large  a concern  retiuires  almost  as  much  diplomacy  as  a Secretary  of  State.  He 
was  l)orn  in  St.  Clair  County,  Illinois,  July  12,  1837,  and  on  a farm,  there  learning 
habits  of  industry  and  enterprise  that  have  remained  with  him  through  life.  His  father, 
Nathaniel  Smith,  was  born  in  Maine,  in  1818,  and  his  mother,  Marinda  (Carr)  Smith, 
was  born  in  St.  Clair  County.  Illinois. 

In  addition  to  a common  school  education  Robert  J.  Smith  attended  private  school 
in  Belleville,  Illinois,  and  one  year  at  Shurtlifi  College,  in  hopper  Alton,  Illinois.  Like 
other  enterprising  young  men,  Mr.  Smith  first  taught  school,  but  after  one  term  entered 
a country  store  as  clerk,  where  he  remained  some  time.  His  next  venture  was  in  the 
insurance  line  and  he  became  a local  agent  for  the  iHtna  Insurance  Company  of  Con- 
necticut. In  the  year  1865  he  settled  in  Springfield,  Illinois,  as  one  of  the  State  Agents 
of  that  company,  and  conducted  business  under  the  firm  name  of  Smith  & Gadsden. 

In  the  year  1868  he  came  to  Chicago  as  General  Western  Agent  for  the  Putnam 
Insurance  Company  of  Connecticut,  and  in  1874  (July)  he  was  elected  Secretar}-  of  the 
'Traders  Insurance  Company,  a jiosition  he  has  filled  most  efficiently  ever  since.  He 
was  first  with  the  Hutna,  then  the  Putnam,  afterward  the  North  British  of  England, 
the  N.  ().  Insurance  Association  and  finally  the  Traders.  Erom  i860  to  1863  Mr.  Smith 
was  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  irom  1891  to  1892  was  President  of  Cook  County  Com- 


226 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


missioners  (or  county  board).  He  has  also  been  active  in  political  circles  as  a good 
Democrat,  and  was  Chairman  of  Cook  County  Democratic  Central  Committee  about 
1890.  During  1892  and  ’93  he  was  President  of  the  Irocjuois  Club. 

I'rom  1879  to  1880  he  was  President  of  the  International  Marine  Underwriters  and 
is  now  President  of  The  Union,  an  association  of  hre  underwriters,  officers  and  managers 
of  companies  having  jurisdiction  over  the  Middle  States  from  West  \hrginia  to  the 
Rocky  Mountains  and  from  the  Great  Lakes  to  Alabama  and  Texas.  He  has  always 
taken  an  active  part  in  the  various  underwriters’  organizations,  and  is  universally  recog- 
nized as  a man  of  decided  opinions  but  withal  a gentleman  of  hne  social  qualities. 
Mr.  Smith  was  reared  a Baptist  but  since  the  year  1868  he  has  not  been  connected 
with  any  church.  As  before  stated,  he  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  but  takes  no  stock  in 
free  silver  or  Populistic  doctrines.  In  the  month  of  November,  1859,  he  married  IMiss 
Susan  O.  Barker,  a native  of  Monroe  County,  Illinois. 


THE  UNION  INSURANCE  COMPANY  OE  PHIEADEEPHIA. 

The  Union  Insurance  Company  of  Philadelphia,  organized  in  that  city  in  July, 
1803,  IS  almost  as  old  as  the  century.  The  “.City  Tavern”  was  the  scene  of  its  meeting 
in  that  year  and  out  of  this  meeting  grew  a new  organization.  It  early  had  the  good 
fortune  to  attract  to  its  directory  men  conspicuous  for  their  strength  of  character  and 
good  judgment,  among  whom  was  Stephen  Girard.  'Phis  company  was  not  intended 
as  a pretender,  and  has  never  been  such.  Had  it  ever  once  deviated  from  the  good, 
old-fashioned,  honest  methods  it  would  never  have  attained  a position  so  honorable  and 
honored.  Review  its  history  for  the  entire  ninety-four  years  and  nothing  will  be  found 
antagonistic  to  the  rehned  moral  sense  of  its  illustrious  progenitors. 

The  capital  of  this  old  and  substantial  organization  is  S200,ooo;  its  assets  $628,- 
012,  and  its  officers  are  Charles  S.  Hollinshead,  President;  PTlgar  R.  Dannels,  Secretary; 
and  M.  Jos.  Nowlan,  Assistant  Secretary.  It  has  received  in  premiums  since  its  organ- 
ization $23,679,778,  and  has  paid  losses  amounting  to  $16,907,406.  It  had  at  risk 
December  31,  1895,  $3^.946  525.  During  the  year  1895,  increase  in  assets  was 

$89,169.56;  increase  in  reserve,  $24,037.59;  increase  in  net  surplus,  $61,231.62.  This 
old  company  is  devoting  itself  exclusively  to  fire  insurance  at  present,  and  the  company 
has  now  entered  upon  another  epoch  in  its  history. 

CHAREES  STEREING  HOEEINSHEAD 

PRESIDENT  OE  THE  UNION  INSURANCP:  COMPANY  OE  PHILADELPHIA. 

C.  S.  Hollinshead,  President  of  the  Union  Insurance  Company  of  Philadelphia,  is 
a man  born  to  a place  of  responsibility;  one  who  is  in  the  habit  of  following  his  con- 
victions, and  who  can  say  no  when  occasion  requires.  The  successful  president  of  a 
big  insurance  company  is  born,  not  made.  If  the  material  is  not  in  the  man,  then  no 
amount  of  training  will  fit  him  for  the  position,  hixecutive  ability  cannot  be  acquired, 
and  that  is  the  sort  of  aliility  demanded  of  the  man  rvho  overlooks  the  operations  of  a 
vast  army  of  agents,  who  must  watch  expenses  and  inspect  investments;  and  who  at 
the  same  time  must  so  handle  his  company  that  there  will  be  as  little  friction  as  pos- 
sible with  underwriting  interests  in  general. 


228 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


Mr.  Hollinshead  is  not  a veteran  in  years,  though  old  in  the  experience  that  goes 
to  make  an  underwriter.  His  birth  occurred  in  New  Jersey,  January  lo,  1850,  and  he 
is  a son  of  the  late  Joseph  H.  and  Margaret  \V.  Hollinshead.  The  father  was  Secretary 
of  the  Insurance  Company  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  for  more  than  a quarter  of  a 
century.  Charles  S.  Hollinshead  received  his  scholastic  training  in  the  common  schools 
and  later  turned  his  attention  to  the  law  of  fire  insurance.  Since  then  his  life  has  been 
devoted  almost  entirely  to  fire  underwriting  with  a casual  knowledge  of  marine  under- 
writing. 

After  leaving  school  Mr.  Hollinshead  entered  the  counting  room  of  a wholesale 
diy  goods  house  and,  for  a time,  was  engaged  in  the  custom  house  brokerage,  but  took 
up  the  fire  and  marine  insurance  business  as  an  occupation;  first,  as  a clerk  in  the  office 
of  the  Insurance  Company  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania;  second,  with  the  general  fire 
insurance  agency  firm  of  Duy  & Hollinshead,  and  third,  in  October,  1872,  accepted 
the  office  of  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Union  Insurance  Comj'iany  of  Philadeljdfia,  in 
full  charge  of  its  fire  insurance  department.  He  was  made  its  Fire  Manager  (change 
of  title  only)  in  January  of  1885,  and  accepted  the  presidency  January  10,  1889  (his 
39th  birthday),  to  reorganize  the  company’s  business  as  a fire  insurance  office  exclusively. 

I le  established  the  agency  plant  of  the  Union  Insurance  Company,  which  now  extends 
from  iMaine  to  California;  is  a member  of  most  of  the  underwriting  bodies;  has  been  a 
memlrer  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Philadelj^hia  Fire  Underwriters’  Association,  and 
is  now  a member  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  National  Board  of  Fire  Underwriters, 
as  well  as  a member  of  the  Standing  Committee  on  Adjustments  of  the  National  Board 
of  F'ire  Underwriters. 

The  history  of  the  Union  Insurance  Company  of  Philadelphia  is  unique.  It  has 
not  lived  by  chance  and  has  survived  the  ravages  of  fires  and  floods  for  nearly  a 
century,  and  the  history  of  no  other  company  will  furnish  such  an  interesting  record  of 
the  ups  and  downs  of  the  business.  Mr.  Hollinshead  has  been  connected  with  this 
company  for  about  twenty-five  years.  The  embarrassing  troubles  experienced  by  the 
company  during  the  eighties  are  well  remembered.  A long  period  of  disastrous  results 
in  the  marine  department  of  its  business,  coupled  with  inefficient  executive  management, 
nearly  sufficed  to  crush  the  life  out  of  the  old  time-honored  organization.  It  was  at 
this  critical  period  that  Mr.  Hollinshead  was  called  to  the  helm  and  at  once  a new 
order  of  things  was  established.  The  marine  business  was  entirely  abolished,  and  its 
large  liability  discharged  with  credit  to  the  corporation,  the  fire  branch  was  strengthened, 
fresh  energy  was  put  into  every  department,  and  forthwith  the  company  commenced  to 
make  money,  and  has  resumed  its  place  among  the  dividend  payers. 

Mr.  Hollinshead  was  a two  term  member  of  the  City  Council  and  is  active  in 
municipal  affairs  of  the  borough  in  which  he  resides.  For  more  than  twenty  years  he 
has  been  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  He  has  l)een  quite  an  extensive  traveler 
and  has  been  over  all  parts  of  the  United  States  and  Plurope.  In  religion  he  is  a 
Presbyterian,  and  in  politics  a Republican,  l)elieving  in  protection  and  sound  money. 
Mr.  Hollinshead  is  married  and  has  three  children,  a son  and  two  daughters,  ages 
respectively  ten,  eight  and  six. 


TllK  UNITED  FIREMEN’S  INSURANCE  COMPANY. 


The  United  Firemen’s  Insurance  Company  of  Philadelphia  was  incorporated  April 
2,  i860,  and  bej^an  business  in  April,  i86i.  Under  its  charter,  until  amended  by  the 
Legislature,  only  hremen  actively  connected  with  the  volunteer  fire  department  could  lie 
stockholders.  Its  officers  in  1861  and  for  several  years  thereafter  were  some  of  the 
best  known  active  volunteer  firemen  in  Philadelphia,  Conrad  B.  Andress,  of  the  Northern 
Liberty  Hose  Company,  being  President,  and  W.  II.  P'agan,  of  the  Moyamensing  Hose 
Company,  Secretary.  Patrick  H.  Fearon,  the  first  chief  of  the  new  paid  fire  depart- 
ment, took  out  the  first  jierpetual  policy  in  this  company. 

fi'or  nearly  fifteen  years  the  company  did  a purely  local  business,  when  it  entered 
the  agency  field  by  the  establishment  of  a number  of  general  agencies  in  different  parts 
of  the  Union;  it  was  not,  however,  successful  in  this  venture  and  in  1881  there  was  a 
complete  reorganization  of  the  company.  Mr.  Joseph  L.  Caven,  an  attorne}^  at  law  and 
one  of  the  best  known  citizens  of  Philadelphia,  was  elected  President,  with  an  entire 
change  in  the  Board  of  Directors,  the  new  board  rejiresenting  presidents  and  officers  of 
banks  and  other  financial  institutions,  all  of  the  gentlemen  being  well  known  as  active 
and  influential  citizens.  Col.  Robert  B.  Beath  was  selected  as  Secretary,  and  the  first 
work  of  the  new  management  was  to  close  out  the  system  of  general  agencies  and  then 
start  out  on  conservative  plans  in  the  princijial  cities  and  towns  of  the  East  and  Central 
Western  States,  and  the  growth  of  the  company  from  that  time  on  has  been  sure  and 
progressive,  doubling  its  jiremiums  since  1886  and  adding  over  $500,000  to  the  gross 
assets.  Dividends  have  been  paid  from  1888  of  6,  7 and  8 per  cent,  until  they  have 
now  reached  a 10  per  cent,  basis. 

In  i8pi  President  Caven  was  elected  President  of  the  Real  Estate  Title  Insurance 
and  Trust  Company,  of  which  he  had  been  a Director  from  its  organization,  and  which 
company  was  the  first  organized  to  do  title  insurance  in  this  country,  a line  in  which 
Mr.  Caven  was  an  acknowledged  expert.  Col.  Beath  was  elected  President  to  fill  the 
vacancy  and  the  former  Assistant  Secretary,  Mr.  Dennis  J.  Sweeny,  was  elected  Secretary. 

The  full  list  of  officers  and  directors  is  as  follows:  Robert  B.  Beath,  President; 

Joseph  L.  Caven,  \’ice-President  (President  Real  Estate  Title  Insurance  and  Trust 
Company);  Dennis  J.  Sweeny,  Secretary.  Directors;  Henry  I^umm,  ex-Cit}’  Treasurer; 
Wm.  M.  Singeiiy,  Ih'esident  Chestnut  Street  National  Bank,  proprietor  Philadelphia 
Record;  Alfred  Moore,  attorney  at  law;  Chas.  M.  Lukens,  Lukens  & Montgomery, 
real  estate;  Holstein  De  Haven,  conveyancer;  Henry  B.  Tener,  Secretary  and  Treasurer 
of  the  Mortgage  Trust  Company  of  Pennsylvania:  George  B.  Bonnell,  trustee;  Whlliam 
Wood,  manufacturer:  Jacob  E.  Ridgway,  President  Quaker  City  National  Bank. 


COLONEL  ROBERT  B.  BEATH 

PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  FIREMEN’s  INSURANCE  COMPANY  OF  PIIIEADEEPIIIA. 

Robert  lU  Beath  was  born  in  that  city  January  26,  1839.  After  attending  the 

public  schools  he  served  as  an  indentured  apprentice  as  a machine-blacksmith,  and  at 
the  outbreak  of  the  rebellion  enlisted  as  a private  in  the  Union  army  and  served  for 
two  years  through  the  various  grades  of  a non-commissioned  officer  and  the  remainder 
of  four  and  a half  years’  service  as  Second  Lieutenant  and  Captain,  being  at  the  close 
of  the  war  commissioned  Lieutenant-Colonel. 

22U 


280 


T I I E U N D E R W R I T E R. 


He  was  badly  wounded  at  Chapin’s  Farm,  Virginia,  September  29,  1864,  resulting 
in  the  amputation  of  a foot. 

After  the  war  he  served  for  several  years  as  bookkeeper  for  a large  colliery  in 
Schuylkill  County,  Pennsylvania,  and  while  so  serving  bought  out  an  insurance  agency 
representing  a number  of  leading  companies.  He  was  during  this  time  elected  Surveyor- 
General  of  Pennsylvania,  and  after  his  term  of  service  returned  to  the  insurance  business 
as  an  agent  and  broker  in  Philadelphia.  In  1881  he  was  elected  Secretary  of  the  United 
Firemen’s  Insurance  Company,  and  on  the  retirement  of  the  President,  Jos.  L. 
Caven,  Escp,  who  was  elected  President  of  the  Real  Estate  Title  Insurance  and  Trust 
Company,  Col.  Death  was  promoted  to  the  vacancy. 

He  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  having 
served  in  a number  of  important  subordinate  positions,  as  well  as  Commander  of  the 
Department  of  Pennsylvania  and  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  organization.  His  com- 
pendium of  the  laws  and  rulings  of  the  order,  the  Grand  Army  Blue  Book,  is  the 
recognized  authority  on  questions  of  law  and  practice.  He  has  been  for  ten  years 
\hce-President  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  for  the  Pennsylvania  Soldiers’  and  Sailors’ 
1 lome. 

He  has  taken  an  active  part  in  matters  affecting  fire  insurance  interests,  and  has 
for  a number  of  years  served  as  Secretary  of  the  National  Board  of  Fire  Underwriters. 
He  was  Chairman  of  the  Executive  Comniittee  of  the  Philadelphia  Board  of  Fire 
Underwriters  for  two  years  after  the  reorganization  of  that  association  on  a compan^- 
basis,  and  on  his  retirement,  declining  a re-election  for  a third  term,  his  services  were 
appropriately  recognized  in  the  presentation  of  a magnificent  clock,  accompanied  by 
very  general  expression  of  the  regards  of  his  colleagues. 


WESTCHESTER  FIRE  INSURANCE  COMPANY  OF  NEW  YORK. 

The  business  man  is  a prudent  man,  that  is,  if  he  is  a successful  one.  He 

realizes  that  it  demands  persistent  care  to  guard  against  the  perils  that  assail  on  every 

hand.  He  can  not  afford  to  fight  fire  alone;  for  that  is  an  enemy  that  fights  in  the 
dark — a guerrilla,  an  Indian — as  it  were,  that  gives  no  chance  for  throwing  up  defenses 
and  that  shows  no  mercy.  The  insurance  company  steps  forward  and  interposes  a 

sure  arm.  d'hat  arm  alone  is  his  protection  and  he  sensibly  accepts  its  shelter.  x-\s  a 

sensible  man  he  makes  sure  that  the' arm  is  a strong  one;  a mistake  there  might  be 
fatal. 

Among  insurance  companies  the  Westchester  Fire  Insurance  Company  of  New 
York  is  an  old  and  substantial  one,  one  that  has  been  familiar  to  the  public  for  more 

than  half  a century.  It  was  incorporated  in  New  York  in  1837,  as  a mutual  company, 

and  it  did  a local  business  as  such  for  many'  years.  In  january,  1870,  it  was  changed 
to  a joint  stock  company,  with  a capital  of  $200,000,  paid  up.  Its  home  office  was 

at  New  R’ochelle,  New  York,  with  George  j.  Penfield  as  President  and  George  R. 

Crawford  as  Secretary.  Upon  its  reorganization  the  principal  office  was  moved  into 
New  York  City,  and  entering  the  field  as  an  agency  company,  it  has  ever  since  been 
a jn'ornincnt  factor  in  the  fire  underwriting  of  the  country. 

In  1879  Secretary  Crawford  was  elected  President,  Mr.  Penfield  retiring,  and  John 
O.  Underhill  became  Secretary.  The  Westchester  has  long  been  one  of  the  solid 


T H E U N D E R W RITE  R. 


2:T,> 

companies,  earning  good  dividends  for  the  stockholders  and  inspiring  the  public  with 
confidence  by  fair  dealing  and  prompt  payment  of  losses.  It  has  increased  its  assets 
from  $540,086  in  1871  to  $2,072,072  in  1896,  and  its  net  surplus  from  $134,882  to 
$567,540,  the  surjdus  to  policyholders  being  in  the  latter  year  $867,  540.  The  company 
has  never  sought  for  large  lines  nor  encouraged  the  taking  of  doubtful  risks,  but  has 
wisely  been  content  to  write  a moderate  amount  of  business  each  year,  gradually 
increasing  its  field  as  its  resources  have  grown. 

GEORGE  R.  CRAWEORD 

I'RESIDEXT  AM)  TREASURER  OE  WT^STCIIESTER  FIRE  IXSURAA'CE  COMPAW. 

There  are  few  men  in  insurance  circles  who  show  as  much  htness  for  their 
avocation,  in  that  they  are  wide-awake,  experienced,  reliable  and  energetic,  as  George 
R.  Crawford,  President  and  Treasurer  of  the  Westchester  Eire  Insurance  Company, 
and  there  are  none  who  have  a more  thorough  knowledge  of  underwriting  than  he. 
Mr.  Crawford  is  a native  of  the  Empire  State,  born  at  White  Plains,  Westchester 
County,  June  21,  1841,  and  is  now  in  the  luime  of  life.  Eor  some  time  now  he  has 
been  a resident  of  Mount  Vernon,  New  "Wrk. 

Ilis  father,  Elisha  Crawlord,  was  born  at  White  Plains,  New  York,  December  6, 
1800,  and  his  grandfather,  Lieut.  Samuel  Crawford,  fought  bravely  for  independence 
and  was  killed  during  the  war,  in  1778.  The  mother,  wdiose  maiden  name  was  Judith 
Tompkins,  was  a near  relative  of  Daniel  D.  Tompkins. 

During  his  youth  Mr.  Crawford’s  educational  advantages  were  unusually  good,  and 
in  addition  to  a good,  practical  public  school  training  he  attended  the  White  Plains 
Military  Academy,  b'or  two  years  after  leaving  school  he  was  engaged  in  various 
undertakings,  but  with  the  exception  of  these  two  years  his  whole  life  has  been  spent 
in  the  insurance  business.  He  hrst  commenced  as  a clerk  in  the  insurance  agency  in 
1857,  l)ut  it  was  not  long  until  he  was  advanced  to  higher  positions,  until  in  1865  he 
was  elected  Secretary  of  the  Westchester,  and  President  of  that  institution  in  1879. 

Wherever  he  has  made  his  home,  Mr.  Crawford’s  genial  and  social  disposition 
has  won  him  many  friends.  In  the  arduous  duties  of  his  responsible  position,  i\Ir. 
Crawford  does  not  throw  off  his  obligations  as  a citizen,  but  is  interested  in  all  that 
pertains  to  the  welfare  and  advancement  of  the  community.  I'rom  the  year  1870  to 
1876  he  wTis  Trustee  of  ^he  then  village;  in  1875  Chief  Engineer  of  iMount 

\’ernon  Eire  Department;  from  1876  to  1878  he  wms  President  of  the  village,  and  from 
1885  to  1887  he  wms  School  Trustee  of  Mount  Wrnon  Board  of  Education. 

Mr.  Crawford  has  shown  his  appreciation  of  secret  organizations  by  becoming  a 
Mason,  and  is  an  active  member'of  his  lodge.  He  has  jiassed  through  all  the  Scottish 
and  York  rites.  He  has  traveled  cpiite  extensively  in  the  United  States  and  Canada. 
In  religion  he  is  a Methodist  Episcopal,  and  in  politics  an  unswerving  Democrat.  On 
the  24th  of  May,  1864,  he  married  Miss  Lucretia  Greig. 

JOHN  OldNCY  UNDERHILL 

\ICE-l’RESII)E\r  AND  SECRETARV  OE  THE  WESTCHESTER  FIRE  INSURANCE  COMI’ANV. 

The  dual  iiosition  occujiied  b}'  Mr.  John  O.  Underhill,  \ ice-President  and  Sec- 
retary of  the  Westchester  Eire  Insurance  Company  is  one  demanding  unusual  ability. 


r 


THE  UNDERWRITE  R. 


2:^1 

Ilis  thorough  knowledge  of  the  business  and  his  energy  and  recognized  ability  have 
convinced  all  that  he  is  the  right  man  in  the  right  place.  He  was  born  in  New  York, 
Westchester  County,  at  New  Rochelle,  February  19,  nSgS,  and  is  now  a resident  of 
that  place. 

Mis  father,  Cieorge  Washington  La  I'ayette  Underhill,  was  born  in  1824,  and  was 
named  by  the  Marciuis  de  La  Fayette,  who  put  up  for  a night  at  a tavern  at  iMama- 
roneck,  Westchester  County,  New  York,  the  same  being  kept  by  the  grandfather  of 
our  subject.  This  was  during  the  journey  of  the  Marquis  from  New  York  to  Boston. 
i\Ir.  Underhill’s  mother  was  Julia  Ann  Baker.  In  tracing  back  the  ancestry  of  the 
Underhill  family  in  America  we  find  that  the  first  member,  Capt.  John  Underhill, 
came  to  this  country  from  England  in  1630  and  fought  in  the  Indian  \vars  in  New 
England  and  New  York.  John  O.  Underhill  is  the  eighth  descendant  in  direct  line. 

Mr.  Underhill  was  educated  in  the  public  and  private  schools  and  college  of  New 
"i’ork  City,  and  early  in  life  Irranched  out  to  make  his  own  way  in  life  as  clerk  in  a 
country  store.  Later  he  became  interested  in  the  insurance  business,  and  in  1869 
became  clerk  in  the  office  (d  the  Westchester  Fire  Insurance  Company.  In  1879  he 
was  advanced  to  the  position  of  Secretary  and  in  1892  became  \hce-President  and 
Secretary. 

From  the  year  1878  to  1882  Mr.  Underhill  was  President  of  village  of  New 
Rochelle;  during  1877,  1889,  1890  and  1891,  he  was  Trustee  of  the  village;  from  1888 
up  to  the  present  time  he  has  been  Commissioner  of  Sewers  of  the  place,  and  from 
[8S5  to  1888  he  was  School  Trustee  of  the  village  of  New  Rochelle. 

In  his  social  relations  Mr.  Underhill  is  a Mason,  having  joined  that  society  in 
1872.  He  has  spent  some  time  in  travel  and  has  been  over  the  United  States,  Cuba 
and  Europe.  In  politics  he  is  a Democrat.  All  his  lile  he  has  been  a member  of  the 
Methodist  Church. 

In  the  year  1872  he  married  Miss  Minnie  B.  Price,  of  Sag  Harbor.  They  have 
one  child,  a daughter.  Secretary  Underhill  has  been  with  the  Westchester  for  mam- 
years,  and  has  wdtnessed  the  growth  of  the  institution  with  which  he  has  been  so  closely 
connected,  from  its  small  beginnings.  He  is  a genial,  pleasanc  gentleman  as  well  as  a 
capable,  all-round  fire  insurance  official  of  excellent  judgment. 

MORELL  O.  BROWN 

('.KNERAL  AGENT  WESTCHESTER  EIRE  INSURANCE  COMPANY  OE  NEW  YORK. 

For  its  prudent  underwriting  and  the  favorable  results  to  the  company’s  resources 
much  credit  is  due  to  Mr.  Morell  O.  Brown,  General  Agent  of  Westchester  Fire 
Insurance  Company.  For  more  than  twenty-four  years  he  has  continuously  been  its 
WTstern  Manager,  and  for  several  years  one  of  its  influential  Directors.  Under  his 
able  management  the  business  in  the  West  has  been  uniformly  profitable,  and  has  been 
an  important  factor  in  the  growth  and  a promoter  of  the  popularity  of  the  “old 
W’estchester.  ” 

Mr.  Brown  is  a native  of  New  \'ork,  born  in  Clarence  July  10,  1847.  When  he 
was  but  a boy  his  jiarents  moved  to  Springfield,  Ohio,  where  his  earh'  education  was 
conqdeted,  and  in  1861  they  made  their  way  to  the  Hoosier  State  and  located  at  Terre 
Haute.  In  18G4,  or  as  soon  as  old  enough,  young  Brown  enlisted  in  the  army,  133d 
Indiana  Regiment,  and  served  with  credit  until  cessation  of  hostilities. 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


2‘M\ 


Keturning  from  the  war,  he  found  employment  in  the  Postoffice  Department  in 
the  railway  postal  work,  and  in  i868'  began  his  career  in  the  insurance  business,  first 
as  solicitor  and  clerk  in  a local  agency  at  Terre  Haute,  Indiana.  One  year  later  he 
removed  to  Indianapolis,  became  bookkeeper  in  a local  agency,  and  a partner  the 
following  year.  Later  he  was  employed  as  Special  i\gent  for  different  companies,  and 
on  the  22cl  of  October,  1871,  just  after  the  great  Chicago  hre,  he  entered  the  service 
of  the  Westchester  Fire  Insurance  Company  of  New  ^'ork,  with  which  company  he  has 
continued  up  to  the  present  as  General  Agent  for  the  Western  Department.  He  is 
also  a Director  of  the  company. 

Mr.  Drown  is  not  only  an  accomplished  underwriter,  but  is  a genial  gentleman 
of  line  social  cjualities  and  of  acknowledged  character  and  influence  in  the  community. 
He  is  one  of  the  forceful  men  of  the  West,  and  is  a popular  member  of  the  Union 
League  and  Illinois  Clubs. 


MARSHALL  SYLVANUS  DRIGGS 

PRESIDENT  OE  I’lIE  WILLIAMSBURG  CITY  EIRE  INSURANCE  COMPANY. 

It  is  a very  nice  thing,  as  the  world  looks  at  it,  to  be  the  president  of  an 
insurance  company.  However,  it  is  a very  responsible  position  and  the  successful 
president  is  born,  not  made.  Executive  ability  cannot  be  actpiired,  and  that  is  the  sort 
of  ability  retiuired  of  the  individual  who  oversees  the  operations  of  hundreds  of  agents, 
watches  expenses  and  investments,  and  who  carries  on  the  business  without  friction. 

Marshall  S.  Driggs,  President  of  the  Williamsburg  City  Fire  Insurance  Company, 
is  a man  who  would  convince  the  most  particular  critic  that  he  has  made  no  mistake 
in  his  chosen  calling,  and  that  he  is  the  right  man  for  the  prominent  position  he  now 
occupies.  Possessed  of  unusual  executive  ability,  and  with  his  experience  and  enter- 
prise, Mr.  Driggs  is  one  of  the  most  successful  underwriters  of  his  day.  He  was  born 
in  New  York  City,  January  9,  1834,  but  for  the  past  forty-eight  years  has  resided  in 
the  city  of  Brooklyn.  He  is  the  son  of  Edmund  and  Delia  (Marshall)  Driggs  and  the 
grandson  of  Elliott  Driggs. 

The  father  was  a native  of  Kinderhook,  New  York,  born  February  25,  1809,  and 
died  in  Brooklyn,  New  York,  July  31,  1889,  in  his  eighty-first  year.  During  his  long 
and  exceedingly  active  life  he  held  many  positions  of  honor  and  trust.  He  organized 
the  Williamsburg  City  Fire  Insurance  Company,  and  by  his  ability  and  devotion  to 
business  raised  the  company  from  a very  modest  beginning  to  a high  position  in  the 
insurance  fraternity.  His  wife  was  born  in  Stamford,  Connecticut,  July,  1807,  and  was 
the  daughter  of  Sylvanus  iMarshall  and  Mary  Smith  Marshall.  iMr.  Marshall  was  the 
son  of  Sylvanus  Marshall  and  Mrs.  Marshall  the  daughter  of  Isaac  Smith,  both  of 
whom  were  in  the  Continental  Army,  the  first  as  captain  and  the  latter  as  surgeon, 
and  both  were  upon  the  pension  roll  of  the  ITnited  States. 

Mr.  Driggs  had  particularly  good  educational  advantages  during  his  youth,  first 
attending  the  high  school  of  George  Payn  Ouackenbos,  the  distinguished  author  and 
educator,  and  later  the  Reading  Institute,  Connecticut,  where  he  prepared  himself  for 
business  and  did  not  take  a classical  course  of  studies. 

His  first  employment  after  leaving  school  was  to  take  a position  as  policy  clerk  in 
the  Williamburg  City  Fire  Insurance  Company  (of  which  he  is  now  President),  and 
he  had  the  distinction  of  writing  policy  number  i in  this  corporation.  His  connection 


288 


'r  H E U N D E R W R I T E R. 


with  the  company  was  retained  for  four  years,  during  which  time  he  served  as  Assist- 
ant Secretary.  He  then  resigned  to  enter  into  the  warehouse  business,  which  for 
thirty-two  years  he  pursued  in  Brooklyn.  After  the  death  of  his  father,  however,  he 
was  called  to  take  his  place  as  the  executive  officer  of  this  company.  In  addition  to 
this  Mr.  Driggs  is  a director  of  the  First  National  P>ank  of  Brooklyn  and  of  the  Dry 
Dock,  East  Broadway  and  Battery  Railroad  Company  of  this  city. 

The  Williamsburg  City  Fire  Insurance  Company  was  organized  March  23,  1853, 
with  a capital  of  $150,000.  Ih'esident,  Edmund  Driggs,  and  Secretary,  John  D.  Burt- 
nett.  In  1867  the  capital  was  increased  to  $250,000.  Since  its  organization  it  has 
paid  in  losses  $7,769,662,  and  its  dividends  $1,452,500.  The  company  at  the  present 

time  has  a net  surjdus  of  $708,970. 38,  and  the  book  value  of  the  stock  is  $383.58. 

Mr.  Driggs  was  reared  in  the  faith  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  was 
a member  of  the  same  until  a change  in  his  faith  in  regard  to  the  doctrines  of  baptism 
and  eschatology  obliged  him  to  withdraw  from  that  society.  In  politics  he  is  a Demo- 
crat by  natural  descent  for  three  generations,  and  an  independent  study  of  the  subject 
has  but  strengthened  his  convictions. 

He  was  married  December  24,  1857,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Sanford,  daughter  of 
Sipiire  Aaron  Sanford,  of  Reading,  Connecticut,  a family  well  known  throughout  New 

England,  and  a sister  of  Henry  Sanford,  President  of  Adams  Express  Company.  In 

less  than  a year  she  died  and  Mr.  Driggs  has  not  since  married. 


GEORGE  S.  MERRIEE 

INSURANCE  COMMISSIONER  ()F  MASSACHUSETTS. 

The  lives  of  our  prominent  men  should  be  written  for  the  sake  of  the  lessons,  that 
men  everywhere  may  place  themselves  in  contact  with  facts  and  affairs,  and  build 
themselves  up  and  into  a life  of  excellence,  not  in  any  sphere  but  in  their  own  rightful 
place,  where  they  may  keep  and  augment  their  individuality.  To  record  in  some 
respects  the  details  of  such  a life  is  purposed  in  the  following  : George  S.  Merrill,  one 
of  the  leading  insurance  commissioners  in  the  United  States,  now  Insurance  Commis- 
sioner of  Massachusetts,  and  the  senior  in  service  in  the  United  States,  is  a native  of 
the  Bay  State,  born  in  the  year  1837  in  the  town  of  Methuen,  from  which  the  larger 
portion  of  the  territory  of  the  city  of  Lawrence  was  taken.  In  Methuen  and  Lawrence 
he  received  the  principal  jrart  of  his  education. 

I^etween  the  years  1853  and  1856  he  served  an  apprenticeship  in  the  office  of  the 
“Lawrence  Courier, ’’the  earliest  newspaper  published  in  the  then  young  town.  In  the 
latter  year  he  became  editor  of  the  “Lawrence  American,”  and  from  i860  until  July, 
1892,  when  he  sold  the  pajier,  wms  sole  proprietor  and  editor  of  that  journal.  Aside 
from  his  duties  in  that  connection  he  was  interested  in  all  that  pertained  to  the  welfare 
of  the  communitv,  and  for  five  vears  was  a memlier  and  two  \ears  President  of  the 
Common  Council  of  Lawrence.  In  1861  he  was  appointed  Postmaster  by  President 
Lincoln  and  filled  that  position  for  twenty-five  years. 

In  1862  Mr.  Merrill  assisted  in  raising  a company  for  the  Union  service,  of  which 
he  became  Lieutenant  and  afterward  Captain.  This  company  was  attached  to  the 
h'ourth  Regiment,  Massachusetts  \’olunteers,  and  was  with  General  Banks  in  Louisiana, 
including  the  siege  and  capture  of  Ikirt  Hudson.  In  order  to  enter  the  service  Mr.  iMerrill 


240 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


tendered  his  resignation  as  Postmaster,  but  this  was  declined,  and  leave  of  absence  granted 
by  the  postofhce  department.  From  i <S66  to  1869  he  was  Adjutant  of  the  Sixth 
Kegiment,  Massachusetts  Militia,  then  three  years  Captain  of  a light  battery  in 
Lawrence,  and  from  1873  until  1893,  when  he  resigned,  was  continuously  in  command  of 
the  First  Battalion  of  Light  Artillery,  the  only  battalion  in  the  State  service. 

h'or  seven  years  Mr.  Merrill  was  Ih-esident  of  the  Massachusetts  Press  Association, 
and  for  a like  period  Secretary  of  the  Re}nil)lican  State  Central  Committee.  He  was 
one  of  the  charter  members  and  first  Commander  of  Post  39,  Grand  Army  of  the 
Repuldic  in  Lawrence,  was  also  Commander  of  the  Department  of  Massachusetts  in 
1875,  and  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  United  States  in  1881.  lie  has  been  Senior 
\dce-Commander  of  the  Massachusetts  Commandery  of  the  Military  Order  of  the  Loyal 
Legion,  and  in  1883  he  was  Commander  of  the  Ancient  and  Honorable  Artillery 
Company. 

h'or  nine  years  Mr.  Merrill  was  Chairman  of  the  National  lAnsion  Committee  of 
the  Grand  x^rmy  of  the  Republic.  At  the  present  time  he  is  holding  the  prominent 
and  responsible  position  cf  Insurance  Commissioner  of  Massachusetts,  to  which  position 
he  was  appointed  by  Governor  xAmes  in  1887,  reappointed  by  Governor  Brackett  in 
1890,  and  by  Governor  Russell,  politically  his  opponent,  in  1893,  again  in  1S96 

l)y  Governor  Wolcott.  He  is  possessed  of  all  the  admirable  characteristics  necessary 
for  a successful  career,  and  no  name  is  more  justly  entitled  to  an  honorable  place  in 
this  volume.  Endowed  with  keen  perceptions  as  to  men  and  the  relation  of  things, 
possessing  a clear,  practical  mind,  and  having  excellent  executive  ability,  no  man 
better  suited  to  the  position  of  Commissioner  could  be  found. 


JAMES  FARNSWORI'II  PIERCE 

SrPERIXTKXDEXr  OE  IXSL4<.\XCE  OE  THE  ST.VI'E  OE  XEW  YORK. 

The  Honorable  James  I'arnsworth  Pierce,  Superintendent  of  Insurance  of  the  State 
of  New  ^Trk,  was  born  in  Madrid,  New  York,  April  8th,  1830.  He  comes  of  a noted 
New  England  family  which  has  produced  many  men  of  distinction,  among  them  Presi- 
dent h'ranklin  Pierce,  who  was  a relative  of  his  paternal  grandfather.  His  father  was 
Dr.  Caleb  Pierce,  a native  of  New  Hampshire,  a graduate  of  Dartmouth  College  and  a 
physician  of  high  repute.  Mr.  Pierce  was  fitted  for  Yale  at  the  St.  Lawrence  .\cademy, 
and  prepared  to  enter  the  sophomore  class,  but  was  obliged  on  account  of  ill  health  to 
temporarily  abandon  his  studies.  Upon  recovering  his  health  he  began  the  study  of  law 
in  the  oilice  of  Hon.  Henry  L.  Knowles  of  Pottsdam,  New  York,  where  he  remained 
for  hfteen  months  and  then  removed  to  Troy,  and  completed  his  studies  in  the  office 
of  Hon.  Job  Pierson,  M.  C.,  and  the  Hon.  William  A.  Beach.  In  1851  he  was  admitted 
to  practice  of  law  at  Albany.  His  health  again  becoming  poor,  he  went  to  Elorida,  and 
settling  at  St.  Augustine,  ]u‘acticing  his  jn'ofession  in  that  city  for  three  years,  occupying 
an  office  with  the  late  Isaac  H.  Bronson,  United  States  Judge  for  that  State.  In  the 
ju'esidential  campaign  of  1852  Mr.  Pierce  took  a lively  part  with  pen  and  upon  the 
stump,  with  so  much  ability  that  his  fame  extended  throughout  the  State  of  Elorida. 
When  he  returned  to  the  North  in  1856  and  took  up  his  residence  in  Canton,  St.  Law- 
rence Count\',  he  soon  became  prominent  among  the  Democrats  of  his  district.  In 
1862  he  was  elected  to  one  of  the  important  offices  of  St.  Lawrence  Count}’,  being  the 


242 


THE  UNDERWRITER, 


first  Democrat  elected  in  that  county  for  years.  Three  years  later  he  removed  to  New 
^'ork  and  formed  a law  partnership  with  the  late  Hon.  John  \"an  Buren,  who  died  soon 
after,  and  he  subsequently  formed  a partnership  with  Kobert  Sewell,  a leading  member 
of  the  New  York  bar.  Afterward  Mr.  George  P.  Sheldon  became  the  junior  member 
and  for  a number  of  years  the  firm  of  Sewell,  Pierce  and  Sheldon  existed.  Mr.  Pierce 
went  to  Brooklyn  to  live  in  1866,  and  in  the  following  year  was  elected  State  Senator 
from  the  second  district  by  a majority  of  nearly  4,000,  although  the  district  had  for 
years  been  Rejuiblican.  He  was  reelected  in  1869  and  again  in  1876  to  the  same 
office.  At  the  conclusion  of  his  third  term  he  withdrew  temporarily  from  active  politics, 
but  re-entered  the  field  again,  and  in  1885  he  was  again  elected  to  the  Senate  and 
reelected  in  1887.  During  his  long  service  in  that  body  he  always  took  a prominent 
part  in  its  delil)erations  and  served  on  the  important  committees  of  Insurance,  Judiciary, 
Railroads,  Commerce  and  Navigation  and  the  special  committee  appointed  by  the  Senate 
to  investigate  the  Broadway  Street  Railway  franchise,  known  as  the  Jacob  Sharp  Road. 
In  1885  he  delivered  a eulogy  on  General  Grant,  in  1887  on  General  Logan,  l)efore 
the  Legislature.  He  took  an  active  part  in  all  discussions  of  an  important  character 
while  a member  of  the  Senate. 

Governor  Hill,  on  February  19,  1891,  nominated  him  to  the  then  Republican 
Senate  for  his  present  important  position.  He  was  immediately  confirmed  by  that  body. 
Many  important  public  matters  have  been  acted  upon  during  his  administration  of  the 
insurance  department;  among  others  may  be  mentioned  the  examination  of  the  New 
^’ork  Life  Insurance  Company  of  New  York,  the  disclosures  resulting  from  this 
examination  necessitating  the  retirement  of  the  then  President  of  the  company.  Gov- 
ernor Flower  on  I'ebruary  27,  1894,  renominated  Mr.  Pierce  for  another  term,  and  on 
motion  of  one  of  the  prominent  Republican  Senators,  he  was  unanimously  reconfirmed 
by  that  body.  As  the  Senate  difiered  from  him  politically,  this  was  a grand  tribute  to 
the  administration  of  the  affairs  of  his  office. 

The  P>rooklyn  Eagle  said  the  following  regarding  his  reappointment: 

“That  James  V.  Pierce  after  three  years  occupancy  of  his  office  should  be  reap- 
pointed at  the  unanimous  desire  of  all  the  people  argues  a record  in  it  that  is  excellent. 
Governor  P'lower  did  wisely  to  renominate  Mr.  Pierce.  The  act  indicates  that  the 
executive  in  that  instance  took  no  counsel  of  those  who  have  not  always  advised  him 
well.  The  Senate  did  wisely  at  once  and  unanimously  to  confirm  the  nomination.  The 
politics  of  the  confirmation  was  larger  than  inaction  on  the  nomination  would  have 
been.  Republicanism  now  divides  with  Democracy  the  credit  of  preserving  the  insur- 
ance department  in  strong,  experienced  and  trusted  hands.” 

Mr.  Pierce  is  a member  of  the  Long  Island  Historical  Society,  of  the  Brooklyn 
Institute  of  Arts  and  Sciences,  of  the  Brooklyn  Club  and  Manhattan  Club  of  New 
York  and  the  P'ort  Orange  Club,  Albany,  also  of  the  Bar  Association  of  the  State  of 
New  \'ork. 

Mr.  Pierce  married  Anna  M.  Reddington,  of  Waddington,  New  York,  in  1856, 
and  has  four  children  living.  His  eldest  daughter  married  William  H.  Read,  a grand- 
son of  Governor  Cabell  of  X'irginia.  His  second  daughter  married  Walter  Curtis,  a 
grandson  of  the  Hon.  Benjamin  R.  Curtis,  formerly  United  States  Judge  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  the  United  States.  His  son  James  ¥.  Pierce,  Jr.,  is  a member  of  the  junior 
class  at  ^'ale  College,  and  one  unmarried  daughter,  Miss  Jessie  P'rances  Pierce. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


FOREIGN  COMPANIES 


THE  COMMI^RCIAL  UNION  ASSURANCE  COMPANY  OE  EONDON. 

I'he  Commercial  Union  of  Eondon  was  orj^anizcd  in  the  fall  of  i86i,  as  the  result 

of  events  growing  out  of  the  Tooley  street  fire  in  Eondon  in  June  of  that  year,  which 

fire  entailed  a loss  to  the  insurance  companies  of  about  $4,000,000,  and  brought  about 
a marked  increase  in  rates.  The  company  began  business  in  October  of  the  same  year, 
and  thus  has  a record  of  more  than  a (juarter  of  a century  to  which  it  is  able  to  point 
with  gratihcation  and  pride. 

d'he  Commercial  Union  and  the  Mercantile  (afterward  by  amalgamation  the  North 

British  and  Mercantile) — the  two  new  companies  - started  out  as  non-tarifi  offices  at 

rates  satisfactory  to  the  public  and  had  plenty  of  business  from  the  start.  The  Com- 
mercial Union’s  affairs  were  so  well  managed  that  during  the  hrst  seven  years  it  was 
able  to  pay  to  its  shareholders  an  average  of  seven  and  a half  }^er  cent  in  dividends. 
Its  funds  handsomely  increased,  its  Imsiness  was  extended,  and  soon  became  and  has 
since  been  prohtable  enough  to  yield  a yearly  dividend  of  from  twelve  to  fifteen  per 
cent  and  upward  on  the  capital  employed. 

The  company  has  transacted  a fire,  marine  and  life  business.  Its  first  year’s 
premiums  on  its  fire  business  were  $282,480.  Six  years  later  they  wm:e  $585,860. 
During  the  next  four  years  the  fire  premiums  had  increased  to  $1,617,125.  The  funds 
at  this  time  were  $8,557,947,  and  the  net  surplus  $2,293,  106.  company 

entered  the  Idiited  States,  and  since  then  it  has  extended  its  operations  to  almost  every 
other  country. 

The  Commercial  Phiion  closed  the  year  1895  'vith  United  States  assets  $3,506,031 
and  a ])remium  income  of  $2,708,283.  The  last  Head  Office  report  gives  the  total 
cash  assets  as  $20,653,543,  and  the  fire  and  marine  premiums  for  1895  s6, 717,426. 


240 


CHARLES  SEWALL 

UNITED  STATES  MANAGER  FOR  THE  COMMERCIAL  UNION  ASSURANCE  COMPANY  OF  LONDON. 

Charles  Sewell  was  born  in  1848  at  lE'ooklyn,  New  York.  In  1868  he  entered 
the  New  York  office  of  the  Liverpool  and  London  and  Globe  as  a clerk.  In  1874  he 
was  appointed  Assistant  Secretary,  and  in  1877  Assistant  Manager  of  that  company. 
In  1878  he  resigned  to  liecome  Assistant  Manager  of  the  United  States  branch  of  the 
Commercial  Union.  In  November,  1885,  he  succeeded  to  the  office  of  Manager.  Mr. 
Sewall  is  also  Ih'esident  of  the  Commercial  Union  Eire  Insurance  Company  of  New 
York. 


AEEXANDER  H.  WRAY 

ASSISTANT  UNITED  STATES  MANAGER  OE  THE  COMMERCIAL  UNION  ASSURANCE 

• COMPANY  OF  LONDON. 

A.  II.  Wray  was  born  in  New  York  City  in  November,  1844.  In  Eebruary,  1869, 
he  entered  the  office  of  the  Star  Eire  Insurance  Company  as  application  clerk.  He  was 
appointed  Secretary  of  the  Northern  of  Watertown  in  1874,  and  on  the  reinsuring  of 
that  company  in  1881  entered  the  field  as  an  independent  adjuster.  Erorn  1883  he  was 
General  Agent  of  the  Commercial  Union  for  New  England,  until,  on  May  i,  1889,  he 
was  appointed  Assistant  Manager.  Mr.  Wray  is  also  Vice-President  and  Secretary  of 
the  Commercial  Union  Fire  Insurance  Company,  of  New  York. 


•248 


IIENKY  CLAY  EDDY 


RKSIDKNT  SECRETARY  OE  THE  C( ) *\EM  ERC I AT  UNIon's  WESTERN  DEPARTMENT. 

Preeminence  is  a goal  most  men  strive  to  attain.  No  matter  in  what  field,  the 
ambition  of  the  true  man  will  juish  him  to  such  endeavor  that  his  success  will  stand  out 
with  glaring  distinctness  and  his  position  become  a most  enviable  one.  To  reach  a 
high  mark  of  success  in  almost  any  calling  is,  in  these  days  of  rush  and  activity,  no 
easy  matter,  and  when  a man  does  reach  a coveted  position,  it  is  not  through  good 
luck  or  influence,  but  through  his  own  merit,  as  a usual  thing.  At  least  such  it  has 
been  with  Henry  Clay  Eddy,  Resident  Secretary  of  the  Commercial  Union’s  Western 
Department. 

Mr.  Eddy  is  a native  of  Rhode  Island,  born  at  Providence,  May  9,  icS4<S.  After 
attending  the  public  schools  of  his  native  city  he  entered  the  Highland  Military  Academv 
of  Worcester,  Massachusetts,  and  in  that  institution  finished  his  scholastic  training.  In 
the  year  1864,  when  sixteen  years  old,  he  entered  the  office  of  a local  insurance  agency 
in  Providence,  and,  being  possessed  of  an  unlimited  amount  of  energy  and  perseverance, 
soon  became  well  posted  on  all  insurance  matters.  Three  years  later  he  went  to  New 
’fffirk  as  a clerk  at  the  head  office  of  the  Home  Insurance  Company. 

Late  in  the  year  1874  he  became  Special  Agent  in  New  England  for  the  German- 
iVmerican  of  New  York  and  filled  that  position  most  acceptably  until  1881,  when  he 
transferred  his  services  to  the  Phenix  of  Brooklyn,  as  Sjiecial  Agent.  As  a field  man 

Mr.  Eddy  won  general  commendation  and  did  valuable  work  which  led  to  selection  bv 

the  Commercial  Union  in  1883  as  Superintendent  of  Agencies,  and  a few  months  later 
to  the  iiosition  of  Resident  Secretary  or  Manager  of  the  Western  Department  at  Chicago, 
where  he  has  since  made  a most  creditable  record. 

Mr.  Eddy  is  a genial  companion  as  well  as  an  able  underwriter,  and  his  friends 
are  legion.  He  is  a member  of  several  social  organizations,  including  the  Union  League 
Club,  and  \vas  honored  by  his  associates  by  election  to  the  presidency,  in  1890,  of  the 
b'ire  Underwriters’  Association  of  the  Northwest.  Eor  thirty-three  years  now  Mr.  Eddy 
has  been  steadily  engaged  in  the  insurance  business,  and  his  brains  and  energy  have 
placed  him  in  the  front  ranks  of  successful  and  influential  business  men.  P'or  years  he 
has  lieen  connected  with  the  Commercial  Union,  and  the  company  has  been  the  gainer 
l)y  his  able  management.  Although  deeply  interested  in  all  that  pertains  to  the  com- 
pany’s interests  he  is  also  a loyal  citizen  and  is  active  in  all  good  work. 

CHARLES  J.  HOLMAN 

RESIDENT  SECRETARY  COMMERCIAL  L’NION  ASSURANCE  COMPANY  (EIMEIED),  AND  GENERAL 
AGEN'I’  COMMERCIAL  UNION  EIRE  INSURANCE  COMPANY. 

In  the  life  of  .Mr.  Charles  J.  Holman  is  strikingly  illustrated  the  force  of  well 
directed  energy,  steadfast  purjiose  and  never  ceasing  effort  in  the  accomplishment  of  a 
worthy  object  and  the  successful  overthrow  of  obstacles  which  beset  the  path  of  all 
pushing,  enterprising  and  ambitious  men.  b'or  twenty-three  }ears  he  has  been  iden- 
tified with  the  Commercial  Union  .Vssurance  Conpiany,  and  the  responsible  position 
he  is  now  holding  for  that  company  is  good  evidence  of  his  superior  qualifications.  He 
is  thoroughly  familiar  witli  the  business  in  all  its  details,  and  the  large  territory  over 
which  he  has  supervision,  Colorado,  Wyoming,  New  Mexico,  Kansas,  Nebraska  and 
North  and  South  Dakota,  is  }ielding  good  returns  for  faithful,  hard  work. 


252 


T HE  UNDERWRITE  R. 


Mr.  Holman  is  a product  of  New  York  City,  born  in  November,  1854,  and  there 
received  his  education.  Immediately  after  graduating  in  1873,  he  was  taken  into  the 
employ  of  Alliger  Bros.,  who  were  at  that  time  managers  for  the  United  States  of  the 
Commercial  Union,  and  he  has  remained  with  this  company  from  that  time  up  to  the 
present.  Mr.  Holman  was  first  in  the  agency  department  under  Mr.  C.  F.  Mullins, 
now  Manager  at  San  Francisco,  and  later,  in  1874,  became  clerk  in  the  brokerage 
department,  advancing  to  the  }x)sition  of  City  Surveyor. 

In  1876,  after  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Charles  Sewall  as  Assistant  Manager,  Mr. 
Holman  was  elevated  to  the  position  of  Superintendent  of  Agencies,  an  office  he  filled 
in  a most  satisfactory  manner.  Later  he  was  made  Special  Agent  for  Pennsylvania, 
Maryland  and  Delaware,  but  was  again  called  to  the  office  as  Superintendent  of  Agencies 
in  1 88 1. 

In  September,  1883,  the  Central  Department  at  Cincinnati  was  established  and 
Mr.  Holman  was  assigned  the  position  as  Resident  Secretary  with  jurisdiction  over 
Ohio,  Indiana,  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  West  Virginia  and  x\rkansas.  This  he  managed 
most  skillfully  and  successfully  until  1889,  when  he  was  ofiered  the  position  of  Resident 
Secretary  at  Denver  for  the  Northwestern  Department,  a position  he  accepted  and  holds 
at  the  present  time. 

From  the  time  of  his  first  connection  with  the  company  Mr.  Holman  manifested 
such  good  sense,  diligence  and  trustworthiness  that  he  attracted  the  favorable  notice  of 
his  employers  and  his  promotions  were  richly  deserved.  Since  then,  as  the  years  have 
rolled  around,  his  character  has  broadened,  all  the  strong  features  becoming  more 
marked,  the  good  traits  standing  out  in  clear  relief.  His  pleasing  manners  and  many 
admirable  (qualities  are  such  as  would  gain  for  him  true  friends  in  any  position  he 
might  occupy,  and  not  alone  by  insurance  men  is  he  held  in  high  esteem. 

In  the  year  1885  Mr.  Holman  was  married  in  New  York  to  Miss  Sara  Del  IMonte 
Domincjuez,  daughter  of  Seiior  Pedro  and  Seiiora  (Domitila)  Domincjuez  of  Havana, 
Cuba.  Three  children  have  blessed  this  household,  two  daughters  and  a son,  aged 
respectively  eleven,  nine  and  four  years. 


CHARLES  FREDERICK  MULLINS 

MANA(;KR  and  UNDKRWRrrKR  OF  THE  PACIFIC  COAST  BRANCH  OF  THE  COMMERCIAL 

UNION  ASSURANCE  COMPANY,  OE  LONDON. 

Eew  names  are  more  familiar  in  insurance  circles  than  that  of  C.  F.  Mullins, 
and,  since  1869,  it  has  been  so  thoroughly  interwoven  with  the  history  of  the  Com- 
mercial Union  of  London  that  a work  of  this  character  would  be  incomplete  without 
frecpient  reference  to  his  name  in  connection  with  this  company.  C.  F.  iMullins, 
Manager  and  Underwriter  of  the  Pacific  Coast  branch  of  this  well-known  and  substan- 
tial organization,  was  born  in  London,  England,  May  29,  1847,  ^ son  of  Charles 

Wdieeler  and  Margaret  Mullins. 

A memlier  of  the  Mullins  family  (which  is  a branch  of  the  family  of  De  Moleyns) 
settled  in  County  Kerry,  Ireland,  in  1666,  and  our  subject  is  one  of  the  descendants. 
Another  member  of  the  family.  Thomas  Mullins,  was  created  a baron  in  1797  and  was 
elevated  to  the  peerage  in  1800  under  the  title  of  Baron  Ventoy. 

C.  I'.  Mullins  received  his  schooling  in  London,  in  the  academies  of  Doctor  Yates 


254 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


and  Doctor  Sugden,  in  the  ordinary  studies,  and  soon  after  leaving  those  institutions 
entered  actively  on  a business  career.  He  became  an  apprentice  in  the  mercantile 
marine  service,  having  ol)tained  a taste  for  sea  life  from  listening  to  stories  connected 
with  the  life  of  his  grandfather,  who  was  an  officer  in  the  English  navy,  and  who  left 
T'rinity  College,  Dublin,  soon  after  entering  it,  in  order  to  join  in  the  thrilling  naval 
events  that  took  place  in  the  latter  part  of  the  eighteenth  century. 

In  the  year  1869  i\Ir.  Mullins  entered  the  service  of  the  Commercial  Union 
Assurance  Company  as  clerk  and  later  was  appointed  Su}'>erintendent  of  Agencies  of 
the  New  York  l)ranch.  In  1877  he  was  appointed  Assistant  Manager  at  New  York 
branch.  In  1878  he  was  appointed  Resident  Secretary  at  Chicago  and  established  that 
l)ranch  for  the  company.  In  [884  he  was  appointed  Manager  and  Underwriter  of  the 
Pacific  Coast  branch  at  San  Francisco. 

Mr.  Mullins  is  a director  of  the  Pioneer  Kindergarten  Society  of  San  Francisco; 
a director  of  the  Seaman's  Institute  of  San  Francisco;  a member  of  the  Board  of 
Relief  of  the  British  Benevolent  Society  of  California,  and  a member  of  the  following 
clubs;  Pacific  Union  Club  of  San  Francisco,  Country  Club  of  California,  San  Francisco 
Golf  Club,  and  Grosvenor  Club  of  Fondon.  Mr.  iMullins’  travels  have  extended  over 
the  United  States,  Europe,  Canada  and  British  Columbia  generally,  also  Australia  and 
the  Hawaiian  Islands.  In  religion  he  has  always  been  an  Episcopalian,  and  in  politics 
^mld  standard,  limited  tariff. 

In  the  year  1873  he  married  Miss  Adelaide  Davenport,  a descendant  of  Ormus 
de  Dauneporte,  born  in  the  County  of  Chester.  England,  in  1086.  The  founder  of  the 
family  in  America  was  the  Rev.  John  Davenport,  B.  D.,  Vicar  of  St.  Stephen’s,  Cole- 
man Street,  Fondon.  He  had  the  misfortune  to  secure  the  enmity  of  Bishop  Baud, 
who,  on  his  elevation  as  Archbishop  of  Canterbury  in  1633,  made  it  necessary  for  the 
Rev.  john  Davenport  to  embark  for  Holland  to  secure  his  safety.  He  had  taken  an 
early  interest  in  the  iMassachusetts  Colony  and  contributed  fifty  pounds  toward  the 
procurement  of  its  charter.  He  was  jmesent  at  the  company's  meeting  in  Fondon, 
M arch  23.  1629.  ( )n  the  26th  of  June,  ib3/’  arrived  at  Boston,  ^Massachusetts,  ‘‘m 

the  good  ship  Hector.”  It  was  thought  that  Mr.  Davenport’s  residence  in  Massachu- 
setts might  draw  upon  that  colony  the  wrath  of  Archbishop  Baud,  who  had  said,  “i\fy 
arm  shall  reach  him  there;”  and  so  in  the  fall  of  1637  he  and  others  made  a journey 
to  Connecticut,  to  exjffore  the  country. 

Eater  he  settled  at  Ouinnipiac  (now'  New'  Haven),  and  w'ith  a few'  others  made 
jireparation  for  estalilishing  a settlement  in  the  w’ilderness  the  following  spring.  He 
thus  became  the  founder  of  New  Haven.  His  caj^abilities  and  strength  of  character 
may  lie  learned  from  the  fact  that  he  remained  in  charge  of  his  church  all  through 
the  dreadful  plague  which  visited  Fondon  in  1625.  He  was  officially  thanked  for  this 
£{reat  service. 

Physically  Mr.  Mullins  is  well  proportioned,  being  six  feet  tall  and  weighing  one 
hundred  and  ninety  five  {lounds.  He  is  aggressive  for  principle  and  the  interests 
placed  under  his  charge,  but  is  abvays  mindful  of  the  rights  of  others,  carrying  out  his 
family  motto,  “Vivere  sat  ^•incere” — “to  con(}uer  is  to  live  enough.”  He  is  a lover  of 
the  fine  arts,  fond  of  outdoor  exercise  and  sports,  and  spends  much  of  his  leisure  time 
on  horseback  or  with  his  dogs,  guns  and  fishing  rod. 


THE  IMPERIAL  ENSURANCE  COMPANY,  LIMITED,  OF  LONDON. 


The  Imperial  Jnsurance  Company,  Limited,  of  London,  England,  is  one  of  those 
old  and  stanch  foreign  corporations  which  have  become  an  absolute  necessity  for  the 
protection  of  losses  against  hre  in  this  country.  The  Imperial  is  over  ninety  years  old, 
having  been  instituted  in  1803.  It  is,  with  a single  exception,  the  largest  purely  fire 
insurance  company  in  Great  Britain;  and,  without  any  exception,  it  has  the  largest  net 
surplus  of  any  English  insurance  company  doing  a fire  business.  At  home  it  is  esteemed 
one  of  the  strongest  and  most  successful  of  the  insurance  corporations.  In  this  country 
since  its  establishment  in  i86-<,  when  it  opened  its  office  in  New  York,  it  has  made  a 
record  which  places  the  United  States  branch  on  an  equal  footing  with  the  best  American 
companies.  In  this  country  its  gross  assets  are  $1,847,271,  which  includes  the  reserve 
of  $905,078  for  unearned  premiums,  $141,931  for  unsettled  losses,  and  $37,458  for  all 
other  claims,  leaving  a net  surplus  in  the  United  States  of  $762,804.  It  has  paid  the 
colossal  sum  of  $65,000,000  for  losses. 

The  General  Manager  of  the  company  is  Edward  Cozens-Smith,  who  has  been 
at  the  head  of  the  company’s  afiairs  for  over  twenty  years.  The  Managers  of  the 
Metropolitan  District  are  J.  J.  Courtney  and  John  R.  McCay,  a firm  composed  of  two 
experienced  and  energetic  underwriters.  Mr.  Courtney  has  been  connected  with  the 
Imperial  for  twenty-nine  years,  eighteen  of  which  were  spent  in  the  company’s  head 
offices  in  London.  Mr.  McCay  has  I)een  the  representative  of  the  Phoenix  Insurance 
Company  of  Hartford  for  twenty  years. 

Besides  having  the  management  of  the  Metropolitan  District  of  the  Imperial  they 
are  also  managers  of  the  New  England  and  Middle  States  Department  of  this  compan}’. 
They  also  have  the  management  for  the  Metropolitan  District  of  the  old  Phoenix  of 
1 lartford,  one  of  the  stanchest  of  the  American  insurance  companies,  and  also  of  the 
Lion  Insurance  Company  of  England,  another  of  the  great  English  fire  corporations. 
Their  offices  are  in  the  Imperial  Building,  at  31  and  33  Pine  Street,  a six-story,  marble 
front  office  building,  owned  by  the  Imperial  Insurance  Company,  and  well  situated  in 
what  is  regarded  now  as  the  insurance  district. 

The  Trustees  of  the  Imperial  in  the  United  .States  are  Henry  W.  Cannon, 
President  of  the  Chase  National  Bank;  W.  x\.  Read,  of  the  banking  house  of  \Trmilye 
& Co. ; and  R.  L.  Edwards,  President  of  the  Bank  of  the  State  of  New  York. 

The  Imperial  has,  besides  those  mentioned  above,  the  following  departments,  viz. : 
Boston,  John  C.  Paige,  Manager;  Chicago,  Daniel  C.  Osmun,  Manager;  Atlanta,  J.  T. 
Dargan,  Manager;  San  P'rancisco,  \V.  J.  Landers,  Manager,  and  representatives  in 
every  nook  and  corner  of  the  United  States,  and  throughout  the  civilized  world. 


j.  J.  COURTNEY 


(;knkrai.  .\ttornkv  for  the  united  states  of  the  imrerial  insurance  companv, 

OF  LONDON, 

To  men  who  for  the  last  thirty  years  have  watched  the  grand  advance  of  the 
insurance  business,  the  lesson  comes  home  to  them  that  no  country  in  the  world  ofters 
such  wide  advantages  in  this  respect  as  the  United  States.  Another  notable  fact,  with, 
indeed,  very  few  exceptions,  is  that  the  vast  number  of  successful  men  who  do  business 


258 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


here  are  foreigners  b}'  nativity.  This  thought  is  brought  about  by  the  personality  of 
J.  J.  Courtney,  General  Attorney  for  the  United  States  of  the  Imperial  Insurance 
Company  of  London,  and  who  is  also  Resident  Manager  of  its  Eastern  and  Metro- 
politan departments. 

lie  was  born  in  the  city  of  London,  England,  in  the  year  1848,  and  there  received 

a good  education.  When  but  seventeen  }’ears  old  he  became  a clerk  in  the  head  office 

of  the  Imperial  in  London,  where  he  was  actively  engaged  for  eighteen  years,  and 
where  his  hdelity  and  reliability  in  all  that  pertained  to  the  lousiness  were  soon  recognized. 
In  1883  Mr.  Courtney  was  appointed  Secretary  of  the  United  States  branch  at  New 
h'ork,  and  arrived  in  Boston,  en  route  tor  New  York,  in  September  of  that  year. 
That  office  he  retained  and  discharged  its  duties  most  faithfully  until  he  became  joint 
Manager  of  the  Metropolitan  Department  in  1891.  In  1894  he  became  the  General 

Attorney  of-  the  company  and  its  joint  Eastern  Branch  Manager  and  its  Financial  Agent 

for  the  United  States. 

Although  an  Englishman  by  birth,  Mr.  Courtney  is  perhaps  one  of  the  most 
American  Englishmen  to  be  found  in  this  country.  He  became  a citizen  five  years 
ago,  and  his  eldest  son  is  a member  of  the  Twenty-third  Regiment  of  the  N.  G.  S., 
New  York,  in  Brooklyn.  Mr.  Courtney  comes  of  a good  old  Yorkshire  family,  and  it 
is  singular  that  he  did  not  become  a minister,  inasmuch  as  he  had  no  less  than  five 
uncles  and  brothers  in  that  profession,  including  the  Lord  Bishop  of  Nova  Scotia,  who 
is  his  father’s  youngest  brother. 

Mr.  Courtney’s  father,  who  took  much  pains  with  his  son’s  financial  education, 
was  for  many  years  associated  with  the  eminent  London  banking  firm  of  Messrs.  Smith, 
Bayne  & Smith,  and  under  the  particular  tutelage  of  E.  Cozens-Smith,  which  our 
subject  enjoyed  for  many  years,  he  attributes  his  unusual  underwriting  abilities.  F'or 
about  thirty-one  years  Mr.  Courtney  has  been  with  the  Imperial  Insurance  Company, 
and  has  served  it  faithfully,  doing  an  extensive  and  highly  satisfactory  business  for  it. 

In  the  year  1895  Courtney  returned  to  his  native  country.  The  following 

letter  was  received  by  him  in  July  of  that  year  : 

To  J.  ].  CoURTNKY,  Es(4 

Dear  Mr.  Courtney  ; On  behalf  of  myself  and  colleagues,  the  other  members  of 
the  Court  of  Directors  of  this  company,  I have  the  pleasure  to  offer  you  our  congratu- 
lations on  your  completion  of  thirty  years’  association  with  us,  and  also  upon  your 
attainment  of  the  important  and  responsible  position  which  you  fill  as  the  result  of  the 
able  and  zealous  service  you  have  rendered  during  that  period,  and  wishing  you  a safe 
and  pleasant  voyage  on  your  return  to  your  adopted  country,  and  a long  continuance 
of  the  prosperity  which  you  have  won  for  the  company  and  yourself,  I am, 

hh)urs  faithfully,  Owen  Roberts,  Chairman. 

The  Imperial  Insurance  Company,  Limited,  availed  itself  of  the  presence  of  Mr. 
Courtney  in  lingland  and  entertained  him  at  a complimentary  dinner  to  signalize  the 
completion  of  his  thirt}’  years’  connection  with  the  company.  It  was  a most  enjoyable 


occasion. 


DANIEL  CONDIT  OSMUN 


WESTERN  MAXACER  IMPERIAL  IXSURAXCE  COMPANY,  OF  LONDON. 

The  city  of  Chicago  is  thoroughly  cosmopolitan  in  all  that  the  name  implies,  and 
here  the  European  and  the  (Jriental,  the  inhabitant  of  South  America  and  the  Antipodean, 
all  go  to  assist  in  making  the  city  one  of  the  greatest  in  the  world.  While  it  is  true 
that  people  from  all  parts  of  the  globe  are  inhabitants  of  the  place,  by  far  the  greater 
portion  is  composed  of  those  who  were  born  and  bred  in  the  United  States.  The  State 
of  New  York  has  been  prolihc  in  contributing  her  share  of  this  heterogeneous  mass  of 
humanity,  and  to  the  credit  of  that  State  be  it  said  that,  as  a rule,  her  people  are 
among  the  brightest  and  best  in  the  city.  Prominent  among  these  is  the  gentleman 
whose  name  forms  the  heading  for  this  brief  notice,  Daniel  Condit  Osmun,  the  Resident 
Manager  of  the  Imperial  Eire  Insurance  Company,  of  London,  England.  Mr.  Osmun 
was  born  on  the  13th  day  of  Eebruary,  1834,  at  (brange,  Essex  County,  New  Jersey,  and 
was  the  only  child  born  to  the  marriage  of  xAbram  P.  and  Ruth  I).  Osmun.  He  received 
the  greater  part  of  his  education  in  New  York  City,  attending  there  the  East  Broadway 
Classical  Institute,  which,  at  that  time,  was  conducted  by  Calvin  Tracy,  the  author  of 
Tracy’s  Arithmetic.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  years  he  began  his  career  in  the  insurance 
business  as  a clerk  in  the  office  of  the  Broadway  Insurance  Company,  and  was  afterward 
associated  with  the  Excelsior  Insurance  Company,  and  for  sixteen  years  was  connected 
with  the  Atlantic  I'ire  Insurance  Company.  With  the  last  named  corporation  Mr.  Osmun 
served  in  various  positions,  and  among  them  was  that  of  General  Agent  and  Adjuster. 
Mr.  Osmun  adjusted  the  losses  of  the  xAtlantic  in  the  great  Chicago  lire  of  1871, 
amounting  to  over  $600,000.00,  which  was  the  cause  of  the  downfall  of  that  corporation. 
Mr.  Osmun  then  entered  the  service  of  the  Eaneuil  Hall,  of  Boston,  first  as  State  Agent 
for  New  York  and  later  as  General  Agent  for  the  company.  In  1876  he  was  appointed 
Superintendent  of  Agents  for  the  United  States  of  the  Imperial  and  Northern  combina- 
tion, which  arrangement  lasted  until  1881.  At  that  time  he  came  to  Chicago  and  has 
ever  since  made  Chicago  his  home.  He  here  opened  the  Western  Department  for  the 
Imperial  and  the  Northern,  tint  after  the  separation  of  the  two  companies  about  a year 
later,  Mr.  Osmun  became  the  Western  General  x\gent  for  the  Imperial.  In  1885,  upon 
the  reorganization  of  the  United  State  managers  for  the  Imperial,  the  title  then  held 
by  Mr.  Osmun  was  changed  to  that  of  Resident  Manager,  which  title  he  has  since 
retained.  Thus  it  is  shown  that  for  nearly  half  a century  Daniel  C.  Osmun  has  been 
continuously  engaged  in  the  fire  insurance  business,  and  for  the  last  hfteen  years  he  has 
been  a consjMcuous  figure  in  Chicago  insurance  circles.  As  a man  of  business  the  name 
of  Daniel  C.  Osmun  is  recognized  as  a synonym  for  honor;  as  a private  citizen  his  name 
is  without  tarnish.  His  life  has  run  along  in  uneventful  channels,  and  in  acts  he  has 
displayed  the  teaching  of  the  Golden  Rule,  “Do  ye  unto  others  as  }'e  would  that  others 
should  do  unto  you.”  h'or  twenty  years  he  has  been  a member  of  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity, and  he  is  also  a member  of  the  Ibiion  League  and  the  Washington  Park 
clubs.  In  iiolitics  he  is  a firm  and  outspoken  sujiported  of  the  principles  of  the  Repuh- 
lican  jiarty.  He  is  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 


:2{>0 


JOHN  C.  PAIGE 


MANAGER  OF  THE  BOSTON  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  IMPERIAE  INSURANCE  COMPANY  OF  LONDON. 

John  C.  Paige  is  a native  of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire,  where  his  boyhood 
was  jiassed  as  clerk  in  a country  store,  with  an  insurance  annex.  About  1865,  he  went 
into  the  insurance  agency  business  on  his  own  account  at  Claremont,  New  blampshire. 
Four  years  later  he  abandoned  the  country  agency  for  field  work  as  Special  Agent,  and 
afterward  as  General  Agent  of  the  Narragansett  Fire  and  Marine  Insurance  Company 
of  Providence,  Rhode  Island.  In  1873  Mr.  Paige,  having  received  the  appointment  of 
New  England  Manager  of  the  Franklin  Fire,  of  Philadelphia,  established  his  head- 
quarters at  Boston,  and  to  the  general  agency  he  added  a local  fire  insurance  agency 
and  a brokerage  business,  which  in  time  became  very  large.  During  the  years  whicn 
followed  Mr.  Paige  was  United  States  Manager  for  the  Metropole  of  Paris,  the  Reas- 
surances Generales  of  Paris,  the  City  of  Fondon  b'ire,  and  the  Imperial  Fire  of  Fondon. 
He  retains  the  Boston  Department  management  of  the  last  named  company.  His 
experience  has  been  varied  and  extended  to  every  department  of  fire  underwriting,  but 
during  the  past  twenty  years  has  centered  mostly  in  the  upbuilding  of  a large  local 
business,  including  that  of  the  Imperial.  His  insurance  agency  at  No.  20  Kilby  Street, 
Boston,  occupies  the  entire  building,  a massive,  wide  front,  five-story  and  basement 
structure,  supplied  with  all  appliances  to  especially  adapt  it  to  the  proper  care  of  the 
large  business  there  centered,  which  combines  the  extensive  interests  of  a broker  in  fire, 
liability,  accident,  general  casualty,  and  transjiortation  insurance,  and  the  management 
for  the  Metropolitan  District  of  Boston  of  large  and  important  insurance  companies, 
lipward  of  one  hundred  persons  are  employed  in  the  business  of  this  agency.  The 
various  floors  are  connected  by  an  elevator  as  well  as  by  stairs,  making  communication 
easy  from  one  floor  to  another,  and  putting  the  whole  business  under  complete  and 
constant  supervision. 


THE  FIVFRPOOF  AND  FONDON  AND  GFOBE  INSURANCE  COMPANY 

OF  FIVFRPOOF,  ENGFAND, 

Was  established  in  the  year  1836,  as  the  Fiverpool  Insurance  Company.  By  the 
marked  success  experienced  in  the  British  metropolis,  it  was  felt  desirable  in  the  year 
1848  to  change  the  title  of  the  company,  and  accordingly  at  that  time  it  became  the 
Fiverpool  and  Fondon  Insurance  Company,  and,  on  the  accjuisition  of  the  business  of 
the  Globe  Insurance  Company  in  1864,  the  title  was  further  changed  to  the  Fiverpool 
and  Fondon  and  Globe  Insurance  Company.  In  the  year  1848  an  agency  was  estab- 
lished in  the  United  States,  and  in  the  year  1851  its  first  Board  of  Directors  in  New 
York  was  formed,  as  follows:  James  Brown,  Chairman;  I'rancis  Cottenet,  Deputy 

Chairman:  C.  \V.  Faber,  Francis  Griffin,  Geo.  Barclay,  Royal  Phelps,  W.  S.  Wetmore, 
Edward  F.  Sanderson,  Maturin  Fivingston  and  M.  H.  Collett. 

i\Ir.  Alfred  Pell,  who  had  represented  this  company  as  Agent  in  New  York  since 
1848,  was  appointed  Resident  Secretary  to  the  Board,  an  office  he  held  until  his  death 
in  1 869. 

In  the  year  1851  were  opened  agencies  at  Philadelphia  and  other  important  points. 
Seven  years  later,  the  premiums  in  the  United  States  amounted  to  $471,988,  and,  step 
by  step  the  business  of  the  company  has  extended  to  every  State  in  the  Union. 

20 1 


202 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


To  afford  perfect  security  to  policy  holders,  the  directors  early  made  adequate 
provision  of  funds.  From  surplus  income  reserves  were  created,  not  only  affording 
protection  against  ordinary  loss,  but  also  from  those  extensive  and  destructive  con- 
ffagrations  which  from  time  to  time  occur. 

To  such  disasters  every  town  is  liable,  and  hence  it  is  incumbent  upon  prudent 
men  to  seek  safe  insurance,  and  upon  companies  to  have  on  hand  ample  means  to 
protect  their  clients  from  otherwise  inevitable  ruin. 

This  company,  by  its  world-wide  business — depending  on  no  particular  locality — 
and  large  accumulation  of  funds,  affords  to  insurers  and  stockholders  the  complete 
protection  recpnred. 

The  year  1871  accordingly  found  this  company  not  unprepared  to  meet  its  engage- 
ments. By  the  conflagration  at  Chicago  in  that  year,  the  Liverpool  and  London  and 
(dobe  suffered  a loss  of  $3,239,091,  and  by  the  Boston  fire,  in  the  following  year,  it 
satisfied  claims  to  the  extent  of  $1,427,290. 

.Although  well  provided  with  funds  in  the  United  States,  the  company  not  merely 
largely  satisfied  the  demands  made  upon  it  from  its  chief  office  in  England,  but  at  the 
same  time  increased  its  assets  in  this  country,  as  will  be  seen  from  the  following  state- 
ment; 

In  1871  United  States  assets  at  January  i were  $3,054,361;  income,  $3,163,901: 
expenditures,  $5,  122,653;  excess  of  expenditure,  $1,958,752.  In  1872,  United  .States 
assets  at  January  i were  $3,640,450:  income,  $3,733UOi;  expenditure,  $4, 484,999- 
excess  of  expenditure,  $751,898.  In  1873,  United  States  assets  at  January  i were 
$4,165,290.  Thus  showing  excess  of  expenditure  in  the  United  States  in  the  two  years 
of  $2,710,650,  and  an  increase  of  assets  in  the  same  time  of  $1,110,929. 

It  is  not  surprising  that  this  action,  in  conjunction  with  the  promptitude  shown  in 
the  adjustment  of  these  large  losses,  should  be  felt  in  an  immediate  and  very  large 
increase  of  business,  and  that  a confidence  should  be  inspired  (which  the  lapse  of  time 
has,  it  is  believed,  in  no  degree  impaired)  in  the  disposition  of  the  company  to  supple- 
ment its  abundant  resources  in  the  United  States,  whenever  necessary,  by  remittances 
from  headquarters. 

As  an  evidence  of  the  estimation  in  which  the  company  is  held  in  lingland  it 
may  be  noted  that  £\oo  stock  sells  for  about  ^2,450. 

The  following  exhibits  the  progress  of  the  United  States  branch:  In  1848,  net  fire 

premiums  were,  $4,519:  in  1858,  $471,988;  in  1868,  $1,739,620:  m 1878,  $2,422,126; 
in  1888,  $3,928,010:  in  1895,  $5-600,129. 

New  York  Office — Charles  II.  Marshall,  Chairman;  John  A.  Stewart,  J.  E.  Puls- 
ford,  fohn  Crosby  Brown,  Edmund  D.  Randolph,  Henry  \V.  Eaton,  Resident  IManager; 
(ieo.  \V.  Hoyt,  Dejuity  Manager.  General  Agents:  James  Hendrick,  Albany:  J.  IM. 

De  Camp,  Cincinnati;  C.  E.  Guild,  Boston;  Atwood  Smith,  Philadelphia;  Davenport 
A Co.,  Richmond. 

Chicago  Office — Ezra  J.  Warner,  Chairman:  Levi  Z.  Leiter,  Henr}’  W.  King. 
\V.  S.  Warren,  Resident  Secretary. 

San  Francisco  Office — William  Alvord,  Chairman;  Levi  Strauss,  William  Babcock, 
Lovell  White,  Charles  I).  Haven,  Resident  Secretary:  C.  IMason  Kinne,  Assistant 
Secretary. 

New  Orleans  Office — Gustav  R.  Westfelt,  Chairman:  L.  C.  Fallon,  Lucas  E. 
Moore,  C.  M.  Soria,  Henry  \k  Ogden,  Resident  Manager;  Clarence  P'.  Low,  Assistant 
Secretary. 


2(34 


T H E UNDER  W R I T E R. 


'I'he  forty-eighth  annual  statement  of  the  United  States  Branch  of  the  Liverpool 
and  London  and  Globe  Insurance  Company  to  December  31,  1S95.  follows; 

Assets:  Real  estate,  $1,752,000;  loans  on  bond  and  mortgage,  S3, 58S,  3 1 8.64:  United 

States  4 jier  cent  bonds,  $1,724,625:  state  and  city  bonds,  $266,400;  cash  on  hand 
and  in  banks.  $4 1 5,  29 1 . 1 8;  uncollected  premiums,  $845,  782.  10;  all  other  assets,  $78,017.14; 
total,  $8,670,434.06.  Liabilities — Unpaid  losses,  $633,582.54;  unearned  premiums, 

$4,075, 773.63;  perpetual  policy  liability,  $330,616.21:  all  other  liabilities,  $316,344.12: 
surplus,  $3, 3 14,  1 1 7. 56 : total,  $8,670,434.06. 

The  amount  paid  in  satisfaction  of  hre  losses  in  the  United  States  in  the  course 
of  forty-eight  years  is  $66,440,871.90. 

HENRY  W.  EATON 

RESIDENT  MANAGER  AT  NEW  YORK  OE  THE  I.IVERrooE,  LONDON  AND  GLOBE  INSURANCE 

COM  BAN  V. 

The  success  of  foreign  insurance  companies  in  this  country  is  largely  due  to  the 
sagacity  and  keen  business  ability  displayed  by  the  resident  managers  having  them  in 
charge.  This  has  happily  been  the  case  with  the  Liverpool  and  London  and  Globe 
Insurance  Company,  which  ranks  among  the  first  companies  doing  business  on  the 
Western  Continent.  Henry  W.  Eaton,  the  Resident  Manager  at  New  York,  is  an 

Englishman  by  liirth,  but  in  every  other  sense  of  the  word  is  an  American.  Receiving 

a ]iractical  education  and  thorough  business  training  in  his  native  land,  he  early  selected 
underwriting  as  his  vocation  in  life,  and,  at  the  age  of  thirty  and  prior  to  coming  to 

America,  was  in  charge  of  the  West  of  England  Inisiness  for  the  Liverpool  and  London 

and  Globe,  with  offices  at  Bristol,  associated  with  a local  board  of  directors.  Mr. 
Eaton  commenced  the  insurance  business  in  a minor  capacity  with  his  present  company. 
After  deciding  that  insurance  should  be  his  life’s  occupation  he  began  a course  of  sys- 
tematic study,  wdiich,  in  the  end,  familiarized  him  with  every  branch  of  the  business. 
In  whatever  position  he  was  called  upon  to  fill,  he  applied  intelligent,  painstaking  care 

to  the  subject  which  invariably  brought  about  beneficial  results.  Such  eftorts  on  his 

part  were  properly  appreciated  and  rewarded  by  the  company.  In  1878  he  was  sent 
to  New  ’Girk  as  Resident  Manager,  and  so  acceptably  has  he  filled  the  requirements 

of  this  position  that  he  has  been  ever  since  retained  in  that  capacity.  In  a recent 

issue  of  the  Insurance  Times  the  following  approjiriate  mention  was  made  of  Mr.  Eaton: 
“Henry  W.  Eaton  possesses  those  fine  qualities  of  the  gentleman  that  endear  him  to 
many  besides  those  who  are  near  to  him  in  the  insurance  world.  Not  to  know  him  is 
not  to  be  aciiuainted  in  the  world  of  insurance.” 

ATWOOD  SMITH 

GENERAL  AGENT  EOR  LIVERPOOL  AND  LONDON  AND  (H.oBE  INSURANCE  COMPANY  AT 

PHILADELPHIA. 

It  is  well  known  that  Philadelphia  is  the  birthplace  of  insurance  in  America. 
The  names  of  William  Penn  and  Benjamin  Eranklin,  as  well  as  many  other  illustrious 
PennsvlYanians,  are  connected  with  the  inception  and  earliest  development  of  insurance 
— marine,  fire  and  life — in  Philadelphia.  One  of  the  most  remarkable  of  the  men 


200 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


connected  with  this  business  was  Richard  Somers  Smith,  Escj.,  father  of  our  subject, 
who  served  as  President  of  the  Union  Insurance  Cf)mpany  for  nearly  Iralf  a century — 
from  1H37  to  18S1 — and  who  was  a very  prominent  figure  in  insurance  and  commercial 
circles  in  the  City  of  Brotherly  Love  during  the  entire  period  of  his  long  and  useful 
career. 

In  June,  1837,  Smith  was  elected  President  of  the  Union  Insurance  Company, 

and  continued  to  guide  the  affairs  of  that  company  until  1881,  when,  having  reached 
the  advanced  age  of  ninety-two,  he  retired.  In  the  year  1851  he  was  appointed  agent 
of  the  Liverpool  and  London  (now  the  Liverpool  and  London  and  Globe)  Insurance 
Company.  In  that  capacity  he  served  until  1861,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  his  son, 
Atwood  Smith. 

Coming  from  a family  that  for  more  than  a century  had  been  identified  with  the 
insurance  business  in  Philadelphia,  it  was  but  natural,  perhajxs,  that  at  an  early  age 
Atwood  Smith  should  display  a remarkable  aptitude  for  this  business.  He  was  born 
in  Philadelphia,  the  home  of  his  ancestors  for  several  generations,  in  1820,  and  resides 
there  at  the  present  time.  Lrom  the  age  of  nine  to  fifteen  he  attended  school  at 
Cambridge,  iMassachusetts,  and  Burlington,  \'ermont,  and  after  that  received  a thorough 

O’  ’O’’  o 

scholastic  training  in  Philadelphia.  He  commenced  his  business  career  in  a jobbing 
warehouse,  where,  as  boy,  salesman  and  partner,  he  acquired  that  knowledge  of  business 
and  business  men  so  important  to  the  underwriter. 

Before  becoming  of  age  young  Smith  was  an  active  member  of  the  Good  Intent 
Hose  Company.  During  the  Native  American  riots  of  1844  he  took  an  active  part, 
both  as  fireman  and  as  a member  of  the  artillery  corps  of  Philadelphia  Grays.  In 
April,  1861,  he  was  appointed  to  succeed  his  father  in  the  agency  of  the  Liverpool  and 
London  Insurance  Company.  In  his  new  position  i\Ir.  Smith  found  his  experience  as 
an  active  fireman  of  great  assistance,  and  soon  after  commenced  his  efforts  toward  the 
establishment  of  a fire  insurance  patrol  in  the  city.  In  i86g,  mostly  by  his  exertions, 
the  patrol  was  organized,  and  he  was  elected  its  President,  which  position  he  resigned 
in  1890,  after  twenty  years'  service.  Here  again  Mr.  Smith  found  a suitable 
opportunity  to  indulge  his  fondness  for  fighting  fire,  and  for  many  years  was  regularly 
seen  on  the  ground  directing  the  movements  of  the  j'latrol.  In  1876  Mr.  Smith,  at  the 
recjuest  of  the  Commission  and  Insurance  companies,  accepted  the  position  of  Director 
of  the  Centennial  Lire  Department,  and  organized  a corps  of  170  men,  with  necessary 
equipments. 

The  beautiful  building  owned  and  occupied  in  part  by  the  Liverpool  and  London 
and  Globe  Insurance  Company  in  Philadelphia  was  projected  and  built  by  the  company, 
under  the  supervision  of  Mr.  Smith,  and  there  in  his  office  he  may  be  found  offering 
indemnity  for  loss  by  fire  within  a short  distance  of  the  room  where,  forty  or  more 
years  before,  he  had  waited  for  the  alarm  bell  to  strike.  Since  the  year  1847  has 
been  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  takes  a deep  interest  in  its  affairs. 


JAMLS  M.  DL  CAMP 

OF.NF.RAI,  .^(■.FXT  OF  TIIF  FIVFRl'OOF  .WD  FOXDOX  AXI)  cn.OHF  FXSURAXCF  COMl’AXV  A'l' 

CIXCIXXATF 

Mr.  De  Camp  was  born  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  December  25,  1845,  and  his  j')arents 
were  James  and  Joanna  (IR-ans)  De  Cam)').  The  father  descended  from  I'rench 


FIRE  AND  A R I N E. 


267 


Huguenot  and  Revolutionary  ancestry.  lie  was  one  of  a large  family  of  brothers  who 
were  identihed  with  the  building  interests  in  Cincinnati  from  1830  to  1880.  Young 
James  attended  the  Cincinnati  public  schools  during  his  youth  and  later  entered  the 
Ohio  Wesleyan  University,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  June,  1867.  IMarrying  the 
same  summer,  he  then  entered  the  Cincinnati  branch  office  of  the  /Utna  Insurance  Company 
under  |.  B.  Bennett,  General  Agent,  as  correspondent,  and  two  years  later,  after  having 
received  a thorough  office  training,  he  became  Special  Agent  of  that  company  in 
Iowa,  Kansas,  Nebraska  and  Dakota,  continuing  as  such  until  April,  1872. 

He  then  entered  the  Andes  Insurance  Company’s  office  at  Cincinnati  and  later 
assisted  in  closing  its  affairs  in  New  York  State.  Following  this  he  became  Special  Agent 
of  the  Amazon  Insurance  Company  in  1873  for  New  York  and  New  England,  with 
headquarters  at  Albany,  New  York,  and  continued  with  this  company  until  October  i, 
1877,  when,  having  negotiated  reinsurance  of  that  company’s  Eastern  business  with  the 
Liverpool  and  London  and  Globe  Insurance  Company,  he  became  Special  Agent  of 
this  company  for  Massachusetts,  Rhode  Island  and  Connecticut,  with  headquarters  at 
Springfield,  Massachusetts. 

In  the  month  of  December,  1879,  Mr.  De  Camp  was  appointed  General  Agent  for 
the  Liverpool  and  London  and  Globe  for  the  Cincinnati  district,  comprising  the  States 
of  Ohio,  Indiana,  West  \drginia,  Kentucky,  Tennessee  and  Arkansas.  Lor  thirty  years 
his  life  has  been  s['>ent  in  the  fire  insurance  business  in  office  and  field  work,  with  a 
far  Eastern  and  far  Western  experience,  but  at  the  present  time  he  is  in  the  central 
section,  where  he  began. 

Mr.  De  Camp  is  domestic  and  literary  in  his  tastes.  He  has  never  cared  to  hold 
official  positions,  but  was  trustee  of  the  Ohio  Wesleyan  University  for  ten  years.  He 
is  a member  of  the  Phi  Kappa  Psi  college  fraternity,  and  ju'efers  the  quiet  walks  of 
life,  although  taking  an  ardent  interest  in  all  the  current  movements  in  church,  gov- 
ernment and  societv. 

In  1859,  the  company  which  he  now  represents  having  jnirchased  the  massive 
stone  bank  building  at  the  southwest  corner  Third  and  Main  streets,  Cincinnati,  estab- 
lished a general  agency  for  the  West  under  the  supervision  of  Robert  Knight,  of  New 
York,  and  William  Warren,  the  company’s  representative  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  under 
the  firm  name  of  Knight  & Warren,  General  Agents,  which  association  continued  until 
1866,  when  Mr.  Warren  removed  to  Chicago  and  became  the  company’s  Resident 
Secretary  at  that  point  for  the  far  West.  iMr.  Knight  continued  to  operate  the  Cin- 
cinnati branch,  tributary  to  the  New  York  office,  until  December  8.  1879,  when  he 
was  succeeded  by  Mr.  De  Camp.  The  business  has  steadily  grown  from  $114,000  in 
1879  to  $432,000  net  in  1895.  i\Ir.  De  Camp  is  a fire  underwriter  by  taste  and 
experience  and  is  thoroughly  devoted  to  his  company’s  interests. 

HENRY  VINING  OGDEN 

RESIDKXT  SECRETARV  OE  THE  SOUTHERN  DEPARTMENT  OE  THE  LIVERPOOL  AND  LONDON  AND 

GLOBE  INSURANCE  COMPANV. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch,  Mr.  Henry  V.  Ogden,  is  the  son  of  the  late  Gouverneur 
Ogden  and  Charlotte  Curzon  Seton,  both  of  New  York  City,  but  became  on  their 
marriage  in  1805  pioneers  of  St.  Lawrence  County,  New  York,  where,  on  (ffitober  15, 
1822,  iMr.  Ogden  was  born. 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


2()8 


In  many  respects  his  career  in  early  life  was  but  the  typical  one  of  the  American 
youth.  At  first  he  attended  the  public  schools,  and  later  spent  three  years  at  the 
Vermont  Episcopal  Institute  in  Burlington — then  under  the  direction  of  the  Right  Rev. 
John  Henry  Hopkins,  Bishop  of  Vermont — where  he  had  just  finished  preparing  for  a 
collegiate  course,  when  his  good  intentions  in  this  respect  were  practically  brought  to 
an  end  by  the  great  revulsion  and  financial  panic  of  1837,  causing  the  failure  of  his 
father  in  business  and  Mr.  Ogden’s  recall  home  in  1838.  There  he  was  at  once  con- 
fronted with  the  stern  problem  of  how  best  to  earn  his  own  living. 

Montreal  being  the  nearest  commercial  city,  he  sought  and  secured  employment 
there  in  the  grain  exporting  house  of  John  and  Thomas  Gordon,  gaining  his  first  knowl- 
edge and  experience  of  clerical  work.  In  jSgo,  long  before  Horace  Greeley  had  tendered 
his  advice  in  that  connection,  deciding  to  go  West,  he  never  stopped  until  he  reached 
St.  Louis,  Missouri,  where  he  immediately  obtained  a position  in  the  large  commission 
and  forwarding  house  of  James  E.  Woodruff  & Co.,  having  branch  houses  in  New 
York  and  New  Orleans,  where  he  remained  until  1847,  acquiring  much  valuable  business 
experience.  The  yellow  fever  breaking  out  in  New  Orleans  in  1847,  creating  many  vacant 
places,  Mr.  Ogden  thought  he  saw  his  opportunity  of  improving  his  prospects  in  life 
and  decided  to  go  there  at  once.  He  was  quickly  successful  in  securing  a position  in 
the  large  cotton  and  sugar  factorage  house  of  Kelly  & Conyngham,  where  he  added 
considerably  to  his  business  knowledge.  In  1850  he  was  offered  the  position  of  book- 
keeper and  assistant  cashier  in  the  agency  of  the  Sun  Mutual  Insurance  Company  of 
New  York,  then  transacting  a very  large  fire,  marine  and  river  business  in  the  city  of 
New  Orleans.  It  was  while  in  the  employ  of  this  company  that  in  1854  Mr.  Ogden 
was  offered  and  accepted  the  appointment  of  Resident  Secretary  of  the  Liverpool  and 
London  and  Globe  Insurance  Company,  with  a headcjuarters  and  local  board  of 
direction,  embracing  business  in  Louisiana,  Mississippi  and  Texas. 

In  April,  1862,  when  the  city  of  New  Orleans  surrendered  to  the  Lederal  fleet, 
Mr.  Ogden  leaving  the  business  in  charge  of  one  of  his  directors,  departed  for  the  front, 
only  returning  in  May,  1865,  to  find  that  the  company,  aftei  long  waiting,  had  declared 
his  position  vacant  and  appointed  Mr.  Andrew  Loster  Elliott  Resident  Secretary  in  his 
stead,  hlowever,  out  of  several  positions  offered  him,  he  accepted  the  secretaryship  of 
the  Crescent  Mutual  Insurance  Company,  Mr.  Thomas  A.  Adams,  President.' 

In  1878,  upon  the  death  of  Mr.  Elliott,  he  was  again  offered  and  accepted  his  old 
position  of  Resident  Secretary  of  the  Liverpool  and  London  and  Globe  Insurance  Com- 
pany and  has  held  the  position  ever  since.  In  1892  Mr.  Ogden  was  stricken  with 
apoplexy,  followed  by  paralysis  of  left  side,  from  which  he  has  only  partially  recovered, 
and  at  this  present  is  giving  no  attention  to  the  details  of  the  business. 

It  will  thus  be  seen  that  Mr.  Ogden’s  connection  with  the  company  dates  back 
forty-three  years.  ITis  was  the  first  appointment  of  any  foreign  company  having  a 
headquarters  in  the  South,  leaving  him  to-day  the  oldest  surviving  underwriter  in  the 
city  of  New  Orleans.  Mr.  Ogden  having  been  an  old  line  Whig,  his  political  proclivi- 
ties are  naturally  Republican.  His  war  record  as  a Confederate  soldier  is  a good  one, 
having  participated  in  many  battles  and  had  four  horses  killed  under  him  in  different 
engagements.  He  is  a member  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  and  has  always 
taken  an  active,  practical  part  in  the  charitable,  religious  and  philanthropic  work  of  the 
city  he  has  so  long  made  his  home. 

The  results  of  the  business  of  the  Southern  Department  are  well  known  and  must 
speak  for  Mr.  Ogden's  conduct  of  the  same.  His  career  has  been  a long  and  honorable 
one,  leaving  him  many  warm  friends. 


CHARLES  DWIGHT  HAVEN 


RESIDENT  SECRETARY  OE  THE  LIVERPOOL  AND  LONDON  AND  OLOHE  INSURANCE  COMPANY 

EOR  THE  PACIFIC  COAST. 

It  is  seldom  that  a more  able  and  capable  man  takes  the  jiosition  of  Resident 
Secretary  than  Charles  1).  Haven,  whose  valuable  experience  and  mature  judgment  have 
assisted  much  toward  attaining  the  company’s  success.  Eor  years  he  has  been  a 
prominent  figure  in  insurance  circles,  and  few  such  merited  examples  of  success  abound. 
Since  the  year  i<S8i  he  has  been  connected  with  The  Liverpool  and  London  and  Globe 
Insurance  Company  as  Resident  Secretary,  and  while  his  business  headquarters  are  at 
San  Erancisco,  California,  he  has  a pleasant  home  at  Oakland,  that  State. 

Mr.  Haven  was  born  Eebruary  25,  1836,  and  is  a son  of  John  Preston  Haven 
and  Caroline  (Baker)  Haven.  The  father,  who  as  a native  of  New  York  City,  learned 

the  printer’s  trade  in  youth  and  began  his  career  as  a book  publisher  with  Samuel  T. 

.Armstrong,  at  Boston,  Massachusetts.  Mr.  Armstrong  was  the  predecessor  of  the 
famous  bookquiblishing  house  of  Crocker  & Brewster,  and  their  successors  were  Ticknor 
A I'ields.  In  the  year  1821,  when  not  yet  twenty-one  years  old,  John  P.  Haven  was  sent 
by  his  employer  to  New  AMrk  City  to  estal)lish  a book  business,  which  was  subse- 
quently continued  by  I).  Ajupleton,  a publishing  company  well  known  all  over  the 
world  and  which  is  in  a flourishing  condition  at  .the  present  time. 

In  tracing  back  the  ancestry  of  Charles  I).  Haven,  we  find  that  he  is  a lineal 

descendant  of  Richard  Haven,  who  left  his  native  country,  England,  and  crossed  to 
.America,  where  he  settled  in  Lynn,  Alassachusetts,  in  the  year  1645,  and  also  a 
descendant  of  Edward  Baker,  who,  leaving  England,  also  settled  in  Lynn,  Alassachusetts, 
in  1630.  Both  were  men  of  note  and  good  repute  in  the  community  in  which  they 
made  their  home. 

During  his  boyhood  and  youth  young  blaven  had  excellent  educational  advantages 
in  New  A'ork  City,  where  he  grew  to  manhood  and  resided  until  1859.  He  then  went 
to  California  and  there  entered  the  service  of  the  Paciflc  Alail  Steamship  Company, 
of  which  Allan  AIcLane,  a friend  of  his  father,  was  President.  At  that  time  the 
vessels  of  this  company,  in  connection  with  the  Panama  Railroad,  aftorded  the  chief 
means  of  communication  between  the  Atlantic  and  Paciflc  Coast  States. 

Air.  Haven  first  had  charge  of  the  passenger  department  and  subsequently  the 
freight  department.  In  Alay,  1865,  he  became  the  first  Secretary  of  the  Union 
Insurance  Company  of  San  Erancisco,  a corporation  that  was  organized  in  that  year  by 
leading  capitalists  of  that  city,  with  a cash  capital  of  $750,000.  The  company  trans- 
acted fire  and  marine  insurance  business,  and  attained  a national  reputation  by  paying 
its  losses  in  the  Chicago  fire  of  1871,  these  losses  amounting  to  more  than  $500,000. 
It  re{iaired  its  losses  by  assessment  upon  its  stockholders  before  the  end  of  that  year. 

In  August,  1881,  Air.  Haven  resigned  the  secretaryship  of  the  Union  to  accept 
the  ajqiointment  of  Resident  Secretary  of  The  Liverpool  and  London  and  Globe 
Insurance  Company  at  San  Erancisco,  and  that  position  has  held  up  to  the  present 
time.  This  company  established  its  Pacific  Coast  Department  in  the  year  1852,  and 
was  the  first  company  to  issue  a fire  insurance  policy  in  San  Erancisco.  Air.  Haven 
was  elected  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Eire  Underwriters  of  the  Pacific  in  1870,  and 
filled  that  j)osition  in  such  a satisfactory  manner  that  he  was  elected  President  of  the 
same  in  Eebruary,  i8g6. 

Since  the  year  i860  he  has  been  a member  of  the  Alasonic  fraternity,  and  has 

•270 


272 


T HE  U N D E R ^V  R I T E R. 


held  several  jirominent  positions  in  California  Lodge,  Number  i,  of  that  order  in  San 
I'rancisco.  From  early  youth  Mr.  Haven  was  reared  in  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church  and  holds  membership  in  the  same  at  the  ju'esent  time.  In  politics  he  is  now 
and  always  has  been  an  ardent  Republican.  In  the  year  1867  Mr.  Haven  married 
Miss  Laura  Augusta  \'an  x-Mlen,  a descendant  of  one  of  the  Dutch  families  that  settled 
in  the  State  of  New  h'ork. 


LONDON  AND  LANCASHIRE  EIRE  INSURx\NCE  COMPx\NY. 

Eor  thirty-five  years  the  London  and  Lancashire  Eire  Insurance  Company  of 

Liverpool,  has  been  known  to  the  public,  not  only  as  a guarantor,  but  a payer  of 

indemnity  for  property  loss.  It  was  organized  in  December,  1861,  but  did  not  com- 
mence business  until  March  of  the  following  year,  and  has  always  devoted  itself 
exclusively  to  lire  insurance.  It  was  somewhat  unfortunate  in  its  general  manager 
the  first  few  years  of  its  existence,  but  in  1874  the  directors  selected  Mr.  Charles  G. 
I'othergill,  who  had  accpiired  valuable  experience  and  been  eminently  successful  in  the 
service  of  the  Royal  Insurance  Company,  both  at  the  London  and  Liverpool  offices,  to 
take  the  management  of  the  London  and  Lancashire,  and  he  has  discharged  the  duties 
of  that  position  in  a highly  satisfactory  manner  since,  giving  to  the  company  a uniform 
policy  of  management  and  underwriting  ability  of  an  exceptionally  high  order. 

Soon  after  Mr.  Eothergill  took  charge  of  the  company’s  affairs  its  position  began 

to  advance  and  its  condition  to  imjn'ove  until  1880,  when  it  was  thought  best  to 

increase  the  capital  stock.  The  shares  commanded  a high  premium,  a premium  suffi- 
cient to  add  $213,150  to  the  funds.  The  net  premium  income  for  1880  was  $2,126, 779, 
the  losses  $1,439,343,  the  underwriting  profit  for  the  year,  after  deducting  all  expenses, 
feeing  $119,250.  The  total  assets  at  this  time  were  $2,605,925,  and  the  reserve  fund 
$1,050,000.  Live  years  later,  in  1885,  the  premiums  amounted  to  nearly  two  and  a 
half  million  dollars,  and  the  total  funds,  including  paid-up  capital,  $2,684,485,  and  the 
underwriting  profit  for  the  year  $327,450.  In  another  five  years  the  progress  of  the 
comj^any  was  still  more  marked,  showing  that  for  1890  the  net  premium  income  was 
$3,511,730:  that  the  reserve  fund  had  been  increased  to  an  even  $2,000,000,  the  gen- 
eral funds  to  $1,245,  510,  and  the  total  funds,  including  capital,  amounted  to  $4, 1 7 1, 5 to. 

Duriim  the  year  the  London  and  Lancashire  absorbed  the  London  and  Provincial. 
A considerable  business  was  actjuired,  but  the  above  figures  are  entirely  separate  from 
the  transaction.  During  1879  the  jirincipal  business  of  the  London  and  Southwark 
Insurance  Company  had  been  acquired,  and  since  then  the  company  has  maintained  a 
separate  London  office.  The  capital  has  been  twice  increased  and  now  stands  at 
$1,063,750  paid  up  and  $10,637,500  subscribed.  At  the  date  of  the  last  report, 
December  31,  1895,  com}viny  had  total  assets  amounting  to  $5,643,500,  a reserve 
and  reinsurance  fund  of  $3,000,000  and  a general  fund  of  $1,123,060.  The  net  premium 
income  for  the  year  was  $4, 235,470  and  the  losses  $2,252,670.  x\fter  deducting  all 
expenses  the  profit  on  underwriting  account  for  the  year  was  $520, 880.  Such  a record 
shows  the  high  order  iff  underwriting  ability  which  guides  the  affairs  of  the  company. 

I'he  Inisiness  of  this  company  in  the  United  States  dates  from  1879,  when  it 
entered  New  ’\'ork  and  apjiointed  Mr.  James  Yereance  as  Manager.  He  divided  the 
territory  into  districts  and  a})pointed  agents  or  managers  for  these  districts.  C.  H.  Case 


274 


4'  H K UNDERWRITE  R. 


was  selected  for  Chicago,  John  H.  Law  at  Cincinnati,  Barbee  cS:  Castleman  at  Louis- 
ville, George  Wood  at  Philadelphia,  Foster  & Scull  at  Boston,  and  Proud  & Campbell 
at  Baltimore.  The  company  did  a good  business  from  the  first,  and  at  the  close  of 
1880,  its  first  full  year  in  this  country,  reported  assets  for  the  United  States  branch  of 
$1,014,970,  and  a surplus  as  regards  policy-holders  of  $500,126.  In  1885  Mr.  Jeffrey 
Beavan  was  sent  over  from  the  home  office  as  Associate  Alanager  with  Mr.  Yereance. 
In  1887  Yereance  resigned  as  joint  manager  of  the  company  and  i\Ir.  Beavan 
assumed  entire  control  in  the  United  States,  continuing  to  occupy  this  position  until 
early  in  1894,  when,  on  his  resignation,  Mr.  A.  G.  Mcllwaine,  Jr.,  was  appointed  as 
his  successor.  In  1890  an  important  reinsurance  deal  was  consummated,  by  which  the 
London  and  Lancashire  reinsured  the  Pacific  Coast  business  of  the  Anglo-Nevada  of 
California,  establishing  a department  on  the  Pacific  Coast. 

At  the  close  of  1895  the  annual  statement  of  the  company  (United  States  branch) 
shows  total  assets  amounting  to  $2,691,570,  a surplus  as  regards  the  policy-holders  of 
$980,024,  a total  income  of  $1,951,486,  of  which  $1,859,006  was  from  premiums,  and 
risks  in  force  amounting  to  $364, 632, 489.  Since  entering  the  United  States  the  London 
and  Lancashire  has  received  in  premiums  a total  of  $22,902,501,  and  has  paid  for 
losses  $13,826,809,  the  average  loss  ratio  having  been  about  sixty  per  cent.  The  com- 
pany ranks  among  the  best  and  strongest  of  the  foreign  companies  in  this  country  and 
few  have  a more  promising  future. 


ARCHIBALD  G.  McILWAINE,  JR. 

MANAGER  OF  THE  NEW  YORK  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  LONDON  AND  LANCASHIRE  INSURANCE 

COMPANY. 

It  has  been  said  “There  is  always  room  at  the  top,”  and  every  man  of  ambition 
has  some  more  or  less  definite  hopes  that  he  is  on  the  way  to  that  lofty  elevation. 
The  fact  is,  however,  that  many  an  earnest,  laborious  character  strives  unceasingly 
without  knowing  very  clearly  in  which  direction  the  top  lies,  and  consecjuently  wastes 
most  of  his  energies.  As  the  highest  organisms  are  those  most  highly  differentiated  or 
most  intricately  complex,  so  the  highest  problems  are  of  this  character,  and  the  men 
who  have  the  power  to  deal  with  them  are  the  men  who  are  placed  at  the  top.  Some 
men  with  keen  intellectual  scent  for  these  vital  points  in  life  know  where  the  top  is,  and  in 
consecjuence  bend  their  well-directed  energies  past  all  trivialties  to  its  attainment. 

Such  a man  is  Archibald  G.  Mcllwaine,  in  the  departments  of  insurance.  He  is 
now  Manager  of  the  New  York  Department  of  the  London  and  Lancashire  Insurance 
Company,  and  his  ability  and  skill  in  this  connection  are  well  known.  He  comes  of 
that  jiertinacious  Scotch-Irish  stock  that  has  given  to  America  some  of  her  greatest 
men.  Mr.  Mcllwaine  was  born  at  ITtersburg,  Virginia,  September  5,  1859,  and  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  and  University  School  of  Petersburg.  During  his  youthful 
days  he  entered  the  service  of  the  Petersburg  Savings  and  Insurance  Company,  from 
which  he  went  to  the  New  York  Underwriters  Agenc}',  to  be  its  Special  Agent  in 
the  South. 

Subsecjuently  he  was  for  a number  of  years  General  Agent  for  the  London  and 
Lancashire  at  Atlanta,  and  in  1893  called  to  the  New  ’Wirk  office  to  take  the 

jiosilion  of  Assistant  to  the  Manager.  In  the  year  1894  he  succeeded  Jeffrey  Beavan 


T H E U N D E R W R I T E R. 


27() 

as  Manager.  Mr.  Mcllwaine  is  a man  in  the  jmime  of  life  and  he  has  been  an  honor 
to  the  business  and  a stimulus  to  the  best  citizenship  among  all  who  come  closest  to 
him.  With  a power  for  concentration,  a capacity  for  details,  and  a comprehension  of 
view  he  unites  a will  for  application  that  knows  no  diversion  from  its  purpose  and  no 
hesitation  before  accomplishment. 


JOHN  S.  BELDEN 

M.WAGER  OF  THE  WESTERN  DEPART.MENT  OF  THE  LONDON  AND  LANCASHIRE  INSURANCE  COMPANY. 

Success  in  any  walk  of  life  can  be  generally  traced  to  application  and  persistence. 
In  no  business  than  that  of  insurance  and  in  no  country  more  than  the  United  States 
is  this  princijde  better  exemplified  and  recognized.  To  the  student  of  human  nature 
there  is  nothing  more  interesting  than  to  trace  the  career  of  a man  who,  endowed  with 
ability  and  ambition,  enters  boldly  the  struggle  of  life  and  reaches  a position  where  he 
is  honored  and  respected  by  his  fellow  man.  Among  those  who  have  figured  prominently 
in  insurance  circles  for  the  past  thirty  years  or  more  is  John  S.  Belden,  IManager  of 
the  Western  Department  of  the  London  and  Lancashire  Eire  Insurance  Company. 

A native  of  the  Empire  State,  IMr.  Belden  was  born  at  WMrsaw,  September  8, 
1839.  There  he  made  his  home  until  1855,  when  he  went  to  Iowa,  removing  in  1862  to 
Chicago,  where  he  has  since  resided.  His  first  experience  in  the  insurance  field  was  in 
1865,  when  he  became  x\ccountant  for  the  Security  Insurance  Company,  with  which  he 
remained  until  1871.  At  that  date  he  became  connected  with  the  Royal,  but  about  a 
year  later  he  went  with  the  Imperial.  In  1873  Mr.  Belden  entered  the  service  of  the 
German-American  as  Assistant  Manager  in  this  city,  and  in  that  position  continued, 
associated  wiih  Judge  Cary,  until  1888,  when  he  was  offered  and  accepted  the  position 
which  he  now  holds,  Manager  of  the  WTstern  Department,  which  embraces  about 
fifteen  States. 


WILLIAM  MACDONALD 

PACIFIC  COAST  MANAGER  OF  THE  LONDON  AND  LANCASHIRE  INSURANCE  COMPANY. 

If  elections  to  positions  of  trust  and  honor  are  a criterion  by  which  a man's 
popularity  is  gauged,  then  William  Macdonald  enjoys  to  an  unusual  degree  the  esteem  of 
his  fellow  men,  for  he  now  holds  the  important  jiosition  of  Pacific  Coast  Manager  of  the 
London  and  Lancashire  Lire  Insurance  Company,  which  is  doing  the  largest  busi- 
ness of  any  company,  either  foreign  or  local,  in  the  city  of  San  Lrancisco.  Mr.  IMac- 
donald  was  born  in  New  York  City,  January  31,  1838,  and  now  makes  his  home  in  San 
Lrancisco,  California.  On  his  father's  side  he  is  of  Scotch  and  on  the  mother's  of 
Knickerbocker  Dutch  origin. 

KeceiYing  a thorough  education  at  New  Canaan,  Connecticut,  and  in  the  College 
of  New  York,  New  York  City,  young  Macdonald,  thus  equipped,  entered  a wholesale 
dry-goods  business  house  in  New  York  City,  which  house  was  connected  with  the  Indian 
trade.  In  1861  he  went  to  California,  where  for  a time  he  was  in  the  wholesale  dry- 
goods  business,  but  later  gave  that  up  and  turned  his  attention  to  mining.  He  became 
Secretary  of  the  San  Lrancisco  and  Oakland  Railway  Company,  which  company  was 
merged  into  and  now  forms  ]iart  of  the  Southern  Pacific  system. 


T 11  K X I)  K RW  R I T E R. 


•J7S 


In  i<S67  he  engaged  in  the  lire  insurance  business  as  Local  Agent  in  San  Francisco, 
tor  the  /Ftna  and  I’hoenix,  a member  of  the  firm  of  j.  D.  Hawks  & Co.  Later  he 
was  connected  with  the  .Litna  as  Special  Agent  and  Adjuster,  and  remained  with  the 
office  about  nine  years.  He  was  the  first  surveyor  of  the  Board  of  Fire  Underwriters 
of  San  b'rancisco,  and  later  became  Special  iVgent  and  Adjuster  for  the  Imperial,  London, 
Northern  and  Oueen  companies,  under  the  management  of  the  Scottish  Union  and 
National.  In  iScSy  he  was  elected  \hce-Fresident  and  ^Manager  of  the  Anglo-Nevada 
Assurance  Corpoiaition.  On  the  retirement  of  that  corporation  and  the  reinsurance  of 
its  Pacific  Coast  business  with  the  London  and  Lancashire,  Mr.  Macdonald  was  made 
Pacific  Coast  Manager  of  the  latter  company,  and  now  holds  that  position. 

Mr.  Macdonald,  although  the  youngest  in  the  company,  was,  during  the  war, 
bhrst  Lieutenant  and  acting  commander  of  an  independent  company  organized  in  the  city 
of  San  Francisco.  After  the  war,  during  the  “Kearney  Riots,”  he  enlisted  as  a private  in 
1 latter}’  F,  Second  Regiment  Artillery,  N.  (L  C.,  and  was  promoted  through  the  different 
positions  of  non-commissioned  and  commissioned  officer  to  the  rank  of  Colonel  of  the  regi- 
ment, holding  that  position  for  a number  of  years.  On  the  late  reorganization  of  the 
National  Guard,  he  was  elected  Colonel  of  the  First  Regiment  Infantry,  N.  G.  C.,  the 
largest  regiment  in  the  State  of  California,  and  holds  that  position  at  the  present  time. 

Although  interested  in  politics  Mr.  Macdonald  has  never  aspired  to  hold  official 
positions  outside  of  the  military.  He  has  been  a member  of  the  State  Central  Com- 
mittee of  the  Republican  party,  and  is  an  ex-President  of  the  Union  League.  He  is 
Past  Master  of  Occidental  Lodge,  No.  22,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.,  and  is  also  a member  of 
the  California  Commandery,  Knights  Templar. 


THL  MANCHFSTER  FIRE  ASSURANCE  COMPANY  OE  MANCHESTER, 

ENCiLANl). 

The  Manchester  Eire  Assurance  Company  of  Manchester,  England,  was  incorpo- 
rated and  began  business  in  1824.  The  paid-up  capital  is  s 1,000,000.  The  companv 
does  a fire  business  only.  William  Lewis  is  the  Manager  and  Secretary,  and  was  appointed 
to  that  position  in  1895,  succeeding  the  late  James  B.  Moffat.  The  iManchester  P'ire 
at  first  restricted  its  United  States  business  to  the  Pacific  Coast,  but  in  October,  1890. 
the  United  States  branch  was  estiiblished  at  Chicago.  The  company  was  admitted  to 
the  princijial  Eastern,  Western  and  Southern  States.  The  United  States  Trustees  are 
Lyman  j.  Gage,  Samuel  W.  Allerton  and  Eugene  S.  Pike. 


WALTER  W.  DUDLEY 

MAXAOKR  OK  I'llE  UXl'l'KI)  STATES  HRAXCII  OE  'ITIE  MANCHESTER  FIRE  ASSURANCE  COMPANY 

OF  ENHEANI). 

W'alter  \\k  Dudley,  United  States  Branch  iManager  of  the  Manchester  I'ire  Assur- 
ance Coinjiany  of  Ifngland,  was  born  at  Guilford,  Connecticut,  removing  to  Wisconsin 
at  an  early  age.  He  was  engaged  in  the  fire  insurance  business  as  a Local  Agent  at 
La  Crosse,  Wisconsin,  in  1867,  and  afterward  served  successfully  as  Special  Agent  for 
the  St.  Paul  P'ire  and  Marine  and  the  German-American.  He  remained  with  the  latter 


280 


THE  U X D E R R I T E R 


company  ei"ht  years,  when  he  went  to  Dakota  and  conducted  a banking  and  real  estate 
business.  Returning  to  Chicago  after  three  years’  absence  he  was  made  Assistant 
Superintendent  of  Agencies  of  the  Western  Department  of  the  North  British  and  i\Ier- 
cantile,  and  afterward  Superintendent  of  that  department:  in  1890  was  appointed 
Manager  of  the  Manchester. 


THE  PALATINE  INSURANCE  COAIPANY,  LIMITED.  HEAD  OEFICE, 

MANCHESTER,  ENGLAND. 

Practically  this  company  was  formerly  known  as  the 
Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Corporation,  which  was  established 
in  Manchester,  England,  in  the  year  1870,  by  leading  Lan- 
cashire and  Yorkshire  merchants  and  manufacturers,  for 
the  purpose  of  conducting  the  business  of  fire  insurance 
upon  the  mutual  principle.  After  twenty  years’  successful 
operation  the  concern  was  turned  into  the  present  stock 
comjiany,  as  it  was  found  that  such  a course  would  be  for 
the  greater  convenience  in  the  working  of  the  business, 
and  in  the  realization  of  the  members’  interests.  To  a 
great  extent  the  present  stockholders  \vere  formerly  members  of  the  “Mutual,”  who 
invested  the  profits  made  in  that  company  in  the  capital  of  the  “Palatine.” 

In  1877  the  Mutual  Eire  Insurance  Corporation  established  “The  United  Fire 
Reinsurance  Company,”  as  a reinsurer  of  its  surplus  amounts,  and  in  1882  the 
“United”  entered  the  American  field  of  fire  insurance  business,  still  as  a reinsurer. 

In  1892  it  was  decided  to  accept  direct  business  in  America,  and  for  this  purpose  the 

“United”  was  retired  and  the  “Palatine”  substituted. 

The  home  office  for  the  “Palatine”  being  in  Manchester,  in  the  County  of 
Lancaster,  Ivngland,  it  was  desirable  to  give  it  a title  which  would  denote,  to  some 

extent,  its  origin.  'The  County  of  Lancaster  is  the  principal  of  the  Counties  Palatine 

of  England,  i.e.,  a county  belonging  to  the  Crown  or  to  some  one  invested  with  sovereign 
powers;  hence  the  origin  of  the  title,  “'The  Palatine  Insurance  Company,  Limited.” 
'Phe  well-known  insignia  of  the  company,  as  shown  above,  represents  the  gate  of 
Lancaster  Castle. 

Mr.  J.  N.  Lane,  formerl}"  Bristol  Manager  of  the  “ Liverpool  and  London  and 
Globe,”  I^ecame  General  Manager  of  the  Mutual  Fire  in  1876,  and  the  consolidation 
referred  to  was  the  work  of  his  genius.  'Po-day  the  “Palatine”  is  represented 
throughout  the  world,  and  in  particular  possesses  a very  fine  British  business.  In  Great 
Britain  and  Ireland  the  company  carries  on  the  business  of  hdelity,  guarantee  and 
accident  in  addition  to  fire,  and  in  Canada  the  “Canada  Accident  Company”  of 
Montreal  is  owned  by  the  “Palatine.” 

Phe  paid-ipi  capital  of  the  company  is  $1,360,000,  besides  which  it  has  a 
subscribed  capital,  subject  to  call,  of  $5,440,000.  'Phe  total  assets  of  the  company 
now  amount  to  nearly  four  million  dollars  ($4,000,000),  and  its  surplus  to  policy-holders 
about  a million  and  a half  ($1,500,000),  exclusive  of  paid-up  capital.  'Phe  total  premium 
income  of  the  company  in  1895  was  close  on  to  live  million  dollars  ($5,000,000). 

Purniim  to  the  bbiited  States  branch,  we  hnd  that,  whereas  the  total  assets  of  the 


282 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


“United”  in  1882  were  $855,526,  and  the  net  surplus  $382,439,  in  1895  the  “Palatine” 
figures  were;  Total  assets,  $2,836, 236,  net  surplus,  $568,320.  The  premium  income  in 
the  United  States  is  now  about  two  and  a half  million  dollars  annually. 

In  1892,  when  the  “Palatine”  commenced  direct  operations  in  the  United  States, 
it  decided  to  decentralize  the  l)usiness,  and  accordingly  there  were  four  (4)  branches 
established,  each  corresponding  direct  with  the  head  office  in  Manchester,  i.  e..  New 
York,  Chicago,  New  (brleans  and  San  Francisco,  and  the  same  system  still  prevails. 
Messrs.  W.  Bell  and  W.  Wood  are  joint  Managers  at  New  York  ; George  M.  Fisher, 
Fs(|. , is  Manager  at  Chicago;  Messrs.  Finley  & Janvier  are  Managers  at  New  Orleans: 
Charles  A.  Baton,  Esq.,  is  Manager  at  San  Francisco. 

The  Board  of  Directors  in  Manchester,  England,  comprise  the  following  gentlemen; 
Chairman,  Thomas  Brooke,  Esq.,  Huddersfield,  Director  of  the  London  and  North- 
western Railway  Company:  Deputy  Chairman,  Samuel  Ogden,  Esc].,  Manchester,  Ex- 
I’resident  of  the  Manchester  Chamber  of  Commerce;  S.  Armitage,  Esq.  (Sir  E. 
Armitage  c'v  Sons,  Limited),  Manchester;  E.  Armitage,  Esc].,  Huddersfield:  John  Albert 
Bright,  Esc].  (John  Bright  & Bros.,  Limited),  Rochdale;  T.  W.  Brooke,  Esq.  (Starkev 
Brothers),  Huddersfield:  II.  T.  Gaddum,  Esq.  (IT.  T.  Gaddum  & Co.),  Manchester; 

Charles  J.  Galloway,  Esq.  (Galloways,  Limited),  Manchester;  Thomas  Heginbottom, 
IGq.  (S.  Heginbottom  & Sons,  Limited),  Ashton-under-Lyne;  J.  R.  Hutchinson,  Esq. 
(W.  & J.  Hutchinson,  Limited),  Bury;  John  Platt,  Esc].  (Mather  & Platt,  Limited), 
Salford:  James  Priestly,  Esq.  (B.  Vickerman  & Sons,  Limited),  Huddersfield;  W*.  J. 
Thompson,  Jr.,  Esq.,  London;  Charles  Walker,  Esc].,  West  Brighton. 

There  is,  moreover,  a Board  of  Directors  in  New  York,  and  also  one  in  San 
Francisco,  in  addition  to  the  United  States  Trustees  of  the  company. 

The  Board  of  Directors  in  New  York  consists  of  ; Charles  B.  Alexander,  Esc]. 
(Chairman),  of  Messrs.  Alexander  & Green;  General  Louis  Eitzgerald,  President  [Mer- 
cantile Trust  Company:  Robert  W.  Stuart,  Esc]. 

The  United  States  Trustees  are  ; General  Louis  Fitzgerald,  New  York;  Hon. 
Ashbel  Green,  New  York;  Hon.  Chauncey  IM.  Depew,  New  York. 

T'he  Board  of  Directors  in  San  Francisco  consists  of  ; John  H.  MTse,  Esq.,  Lloyd 
Tevis,  Esc].,  Elliott  M.  Root,  Esq.,  William  E.  Brown,  Esq. 


WILLIAM  BELL 

yoiNT  MANACUcR  OF  THE  NEW  YORK  BRANCH  OF  THE  PAEATINE  INSURANCE  COMPANY,  LIMITED. 

The  degree  of  underwriting  ability  in  the  management  of  the  “ Palatine  ” which  he 
had  so  satisfactorily  developed  as  chief  of  the  Foreign  Department  of  the  United  Fire 
Insurance  Company  of  England  has  been  demonstrated  in  Mr.  Bell's  career.  He  has 
always  done  good  service,  has  a capacity  for  hard  work,  and  is  a valuable  man  for  the 
]Tace  which  he  occupies.  From  an  early  age  he  was  connected  with  the  “United  "and 
when  that  company  was  absorbed  by  the  “Palatine”  of  [Manchester,  England,  he 
continued  with  the  latter. 

b'rom  about  the  year  1884  to  1894  he  was  Siq^erintendent  of  the  Foreign  Depart- 
ment of  the  “Palatine”  and  its  ]->redecessors  at  [Manchester,  and  while  occupying  that 
]X)sition  he  several  times  visited  the  ITiited  States.  Through  him  the  selections  for  the 
Dcqiartmcnt  [Managers  of  the  “Palatine”  were  made  upon  its  entrance  to  the  ITiitecI 


284 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


States  in  December,  1S92,  his  mature  mind  and  excellent  judgment  proving  of  great 
value  to  the  company  at  this  time. 

As  the  “Palatine  " has  four  branches  in  the  United  States,  each  corresponding 
direct  with  the  head  office  in  Manchester,  it  was  decided  in  1894  that  Mr.  Bell  should 
reside  permanently  on  this  side,  and  from  the  spring  of  that  year  he  has  been  in  the 
New  York  office  with  the  title  of  Joint  Manager.  His  intimate  knowledge  of  the 
recjuirements  of  the  head  office  is  useful  not  only  in  New  York  but  also  at  the  other 
branches. 

WILLIAM  WOOD 

JOINT  MANAGER  OF  THE  PALATINE  INSURANCE  COMPANV  FOR  THE  EASTERN  AND  MIDDLE  STATES. 

The  results  achieved  by  the  Palatine  Insurance  Company  have  not  been  brought 
about  by  good  luck  or  accident,  but  by  the  able  management  of  its  many  capable 
officials,  whose  achievements  inspire  a confidence  which  no  hostile  criticism  can  shake. 
Among  these  stands  the  name  of  William  Wood,  Joint  iManager  of  the  Palatine  Insur- 
ance Company  for  the  Eastern  and  IMiddle  States.  For  years  he  has  been  a prominent 
factor  in  insurance  circles  and  his  valuable  experience  and  mature  judgment  have 
enabled  him  to  manage  his  large  department  with  unusual  success. 

Mr.  Wood  is  a native  of  Scotland  and  is  now  in  the  prime  of  life.  Before  leaving 
his  native  country  he  studied  law  in  Glasgow,  but  subsecjuently  abandoned  the  legal 
profession  for  the  business  of  insurance,  with  which  he  has  been  connected  since.  After 
some  practical  experience  in  this  line  he  became  Chief  Clerk,  in  1872,  of  the  National 
Board  of  Underwriters,  where  he  did  valuable  service,  and  at  the  same  time  acquired 
much  experience  in  fire  underwriting  affairs. 

Ilis  connection  with  the  National  Board  continued  until  1877,  when  he  entered 
the  New  York  office  of  the  Oueen  Insurance  Company  in  its  Agency  Department,  but 
was  later  placed  in  charge  of  its  metropolitan  district,  where  his  work  was  highly 
satisfactory.  In  the  year  1882  Mr.  Wood  was  appointed  Assistant  United  States 
Manager  of  the  United  Fire  of  Manchester,  a sister  company  to  the  “Palatine.”  This 
position  he  hlled  in  so  able  and  capable  a manner  that  two  years  later  he  became 
Manager.  In  1892,  when  the  “United  Fire”  was  absorbed  by  the  “Palatine”  Mr. 
W'ood  continued  as  United  States  Manager  of  the  latter,  and  still  retains  the  position 
in  association  with  Mr.  Whlliam  Bell.  Mr.  WMod’s  record  as  Manager  of  the  “United 
h'ire  ” was  a most  creditable  one,  and  in  the  larger  field  and  more  extended  operations 
of  the  “Palatine”  he  has  fully  sustained  his  former  excellent  reputation. 


GEORGE  MARSHALL  FISHER 

MANAGER  OF  THE  WESTERN  DEl'ARTMENT  OF  IHE  PALATINE  INSURANCE  COMPANY,  LLMITED. 

It  is  almost  invariably  the  case  that  reliable,  intelligent  and  capable  men  are 
chosen  to  fill  resixmsible  positions,  and  the  case  of  George  M.  Fisher,  iManager  of  the 
Western  Department  for  the  Palatine  Insurance  Coinjian}*,  is  no  excejMion  to  this  rule. 
It  is  indeed  a mark  of  high  favor  shown  him  by  so  great  a company  as  the  Palatine, 
to  repose  in  him  the  duties  directing  the  management  of  its  affairs  in  the  Western 
Department.  In  this  capacity  he  has  convinced  the  public  that  he  has  a most  solid 


280 


THE  UNDER  W R I T E R. 


and  substantial  company  to  act  for,  and  has  proved  himself  a reliable  and  trustworthy 
official,  as  well  as  a gentleman  of  indisputable  honor  and  integrity. 

Mr.  Fisher  is  a native  of  the  Buckeye  State,  l)orn  at  Painesville  on  the  15th  of 
November,  1857,  and  the  son  of  Nathaniel  iMerrill  and  Rhoda  (Wilder)  Fisher.  In  the 
common  schools  of  his  native  place  he  received  his  primary  training,  and  after  graduating 
from  the  high  school  in  1876,  he  entered  the  Western  Reserve  College  at  Hudson, 
Ohio,  where  he  completed  his  education.  The  two  years  following  this  he  was  engaged 
in  merchandising,  but  on  the  ist  of  January,  1880,  he  branched  out  in  the  local 
insurance  business  at  Painesville,  Ohio,  and  gave  most  of  his  attention  to  this  for  three 
years.  These  three  years  were  productive  of  good  results  for  Mr.  Fisher.  His  abilitv 
and  perseverance  soon  were  recognized,  and  in  1883  he  was  appointed  Special  Agent 
of  the  Insurance  Company  of  North  America  and  Pennsylvania  Fire  Insurance  Compan)- 
in  Ohio  and  West  Virginia,  a }X)sition  he  retained  until  1885.  He  then  accepted  the 
position  of  General  Correspondent  in  J.  F.  Downing's  General  Agenc\’  office  at  Erie, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  remained  for  one  year. 

He  then  became  Special  Agent  for  the  same  companies  in  Ohio  and  Indiana,  and 
in  September,  1887,  was  appointed  Special  Agent  of  the  London  Assurance  Corporation 
for  Michigan,  Indiana,  Kentucky  and  Tennessee,  under  the  management  of  Charles  L. 
Case.  Mr.  h'isher  discharged  the  duties  of  that  position  most  zealously  until  September 
I,  1892,  when  he  was  appointed  Manager  of  the  United  Fire  Reinsuring  Compan}-,  and 
the  same  position  for  the  Palatine  Insurance  Company,  Limited,  of  Manchester,  England, 
for  the  Western  Department  (which  is  independent,  reporting  direct  to  the  home  office 
at  Manchester,  England),  with  jurisdiction  over  fourteen  States — Ohio,  Indiana,  Mich- 
igan, Illinois,  Wisconsin,  Minnesota,  North  Dakota,  South  Dakota,  Iowa,  Nebraska, 
Kansas,  Missouri,  Kentucky  and  Tennessee. 

Mr.  Fisher  has  brought  to  his  work  for  the  company  a long  and  valuable  experience 
in  the  held,  associated  with  rare  executive  ability,  which  have  enabled  him  to  oversee 
his  large  department  and  greatly  advance  the  interests  of  the  company.  In  his  social 
relations  he  is  a member  of  the  Union  League  and  Chicago  Athletic  clubs,  and  the 
college  fraternity  society  knowm  as  the  Delta  Kappa  Epsilon.  Politically  he  supports 
Republican  principles  and  believes  in  high  tariff  and  sound  money. 


CHARLES  JANVIER 


MANAGKR  OF  THE  SOUTHERN  I )E1’ARTM EN'l'  OE  'I'lIE  PAEATINE  INSURANCE  COMI’ANV. 

Charles  Janvier  was  born  in  the  city  of  New'  Orleans  on  the  8th  day  of  September, 
1857,  was  educated  at  the  Jesuits’  College  in  that  city,  and  upon  leaving  school  entered 
the  office  of  George  11.  Behn,  an  exchange  broker,  w'ith  w-hom  he  remained  for 
several  years. 

Upon  lea^■ing  Mr.  Behn's  employ,  Mr.  Janvier  became  connected  with  a Erench 
cotton  exporting  house  and  later  became  associated  with  his  father,  Mr.  Charles 
Janvier,  under  the  firm  name  of  C.  A.  janvier  A Son,  insurance  agents  and  brokers. 

In  1886  he  became  associated  with  Mr.  E.  G.  Brown  in  the  conduct  of  The 
X’iudicator,  an  insurance  journal  published  in  New  Orleans,  and  left  this  business  to 
organize  a life  insurance  company,  which  venture  did  not  prove  successful,  for  after  ten 
and  a half  months’  experience  the  compan}-  w-as  liijuidated. 


288 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


In  February,  1(890,  Air.  Janvier  entered  the  service  of  the  Sun  AI ritual  Insurance 
Company  as  Solicitor,  and  in  February,  1891,  was  elected  Secretary  of  the  company. 

When  the  Palatine  Insurance  Company,  Limited,  established  its  Southern  Depart- 
ment. Mr.  L.  AI.  Finley,  the  President  of  the  Sun  Alutual  Insurance  Company  and 
Air.  Janvier  were  appointed  Alanagers,  and  upon  the  death  of  Air.  Finley  in  1894 
Janvier  was  unanimously  elected  President  to  succeed  him,  and  was  continued  as  Alan- 
ager  of  the  Southern  Department  by  the  Palatine  Insurance  Company,  Limited. 

Air.  Janvier  was  married  in  1883  to  Aliss  Josephine  Celeste  Bush,  a daughter  of 
the  late  Colonel  Louis  Bush,  at  one  time  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of 
Louisiana  and  IT'esident  of  the  Board  of  Trade.  He  is  the  father  of  eight  children, 
six  girls  and  two  boys. 

Air.  Janvier  occupies  several  positions  of  honor  and  trust  in  his  city,  being  a 
Director  of  the  Canal  Bank,  an  Administrator  of  the  Tulane  Educational  Fund,  President 
of  the  Fire  IMtrol,  and  is  the  President  of  the  Citizens’  League,  a municipal  reform 
organization,  which,  at  the  election  in  April,  1896,  broke  up  the  ring  which  had  domi- 
nated city  politics,  and  installed  a reform  administration. 


THEODORE  W.  LETTON 

M^\NAGKR  OF  'I'llE  UNITED  STATES  BRANCH  OF  THE  PRUSSIAN  NATIONAE  INSURANCE  COMPANV. 

It  has  been  said,  and  with  truth,  that  success  in  any  calling  is  an  indication  of 
close  application,  industry  and  faithfulness.  Such  has  been  the  case  with  Air.  Theodore 
\\\  Letton,  Alanager  of  the  United  States  Branch  for  the  Prussian  National  Insurance 
Company,  of  Stettin,  Prussia.  He  is  classed  among  the  energetic,  far-seeing  and  suc- 
cessful men  engaged  in  insurance  matters,  and  during  the  twenty-six  years  he  has 
devoted  to  this  jirofession  his  valuable  experience  in  the  field  and  his  superior  executive 
ability  have  not  only  won  him  an  enviable  reputation,  but  have  greatly  advanced  the 
interests  of  the  different  companies  he  has  represented. 

Air.  Letton  is  a native  of  the  Hawkeye  State,  born  July  23,  1840,  near  Daven- 
port, \vhither  his  parents  had  moved  from  Covington,  Kentuck}',  a few  months  before, 
b'rom  Davenport  they  moved  to  Quincy,  Illinois,  about  two  years  later,  and  in  the 
private  schools  of  the  latter  city  young  Letton  received  his  education.  When  about 
eighteen  years  old  he  was  elected  Captain  of  the  Quincy  Cadets,  a military  organiza- 
tion of  young  men  that  subseiiuently  became  known  as  one  of  the  best  drilled  companies 
in  the  State. 

In  September,  1861,  he  was  mustered  into  service  as  First  Lieutenant  of  Com- 
pany C,  Fiftieth  Illinois  Infantry,  and  after  serving  for  a short  time  on  the  staff'  of 
General  B.  AI.  Prentiss  he  joined  his  regiment  and  was  with  General  Grant  at  Forts 
Henry  and  Donelson  and  at  Shiloh.  Not  long  after  the  last  named  battle  he  was 
promoted  to  Adjutant,  and  after  the  siege  and  capture  of  Corinth,  in  which  he  was  an 
active  particijiant,  he  was  detailed  as  Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General  of  the  Third 
Brigade,  Second  Division,  Sixteenth  Army  Corps,  remaining  on  duty  in  that  position 
for  about  eighteen  months.  W'hile  on  the  Atlanta  campaign  he  was  detailed  as  Acting 
Assistant  Adjutant  General  on  the  staff  of  General  William  A'andever,  who  was  com- 
manding the  troops  at  Rome,  Georgia,  and  held  that  position  until  the  end  of  his  term 
of  service. 


THE  IT  N D K R W R I T E R. 


2'.»0 


I'ollowing  the  war,  Captain  Letton  settled  in  Kansas  City,  Missouri,  where  he  was 
engaged  in  merchandising  for  a number  of  years  and  afterward  in  the  local  insurance 
business.  During  the  years  he  has  been  engaged  in  hre  insurance  he  has  been  con- 
nected with  a number  of  companies  in  dilferent  capacities.  For  a number  of  years  he 
was  Manager  of  the  Western  Department  of  the  Fire  Association  of  England,  and  as 
a result  of  his  successful  operations  was  made  Manager  of  the  United  States  branch  of 
that  company,  with  headtjuarters  in  New  ^’ork  City.  Me  was  afterward  Manager  of 
the  Western  Department  of  the  Union  of  California,  and  in  1891,  when  the  Prussian 
National  Insurance  Company  decided  to  establish  a PTnited  States  branch.  Captain 
I.etton  was  aj^pointed  General  Manager,  with  headquarters  in  Chicago. 

Personally  the  Captain  is  a companionable  gentleman  and  the  possessor  of  those 
(]ualities  which  eminently  ht  him  for  the  important  position  he  now  occupies  and  which 
calls  for  a clear  head  and  no  ordinary  force  of  character.  Socially  he  is  a prominent 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  of  several  societies  and  clubs  in  this  cit}’.  He 
has  a wide  circle  of  friends  outside  of  insurance,  and  his  personal  influence  and  force 
of  character  strike  one  at  the  first  impact  of  meeting  him. 


THE  KOYAE  INSURANCE  COMPANY. 

Among  the  many  monuments  erected  by  the  strong  hand  of  industry  to  give  the 
world  proof  as  strong  as  holy  writ  of  man’s  superior  intelligence,  untiring  energy  and 
great  advancement,  but  few  stand  more  boldly  before  the  critical  gaze  of  the  nations 
at  the  jn-esent  time  than  The  Royal  Insurance  Company.  This  company  was  founded 
at  Liverpool,  England,  in  1845,  ^T-st  fire  policy  being  issued  on  June  14,  for  <;i5,ooo, 
on  the  household  goods  of  a prominent  business  man  of  Liverpool.  The  company  was 
organized  under  the  then  existing  act  of  Parliament  authorizing  joint  stock  companies 
for  the  transaction  of  fire  and  life  insurance,  and  its  first  life  policy  was  issued  June 
25,  1845,  to  iMr.  Percy  M.  Dove,  the  company’s  first  Manager  and  Secretary. 

The  prospectus  of  the  company  was  issued  on  the  20th  of  March,  1845,  giving 
the  names  of  twenty-four  prominent  citizens,  headed  by  the  Mayor  of  Liverpool,  as  a 
provisional  committee,  and  announcing  a proposed  capital  of  2,000,000  pounds,  in  one 
hundred  thousand  shares,  of  twenty  pounds  each.  On  the  last  of  December  of  the  year 
1845  the  number  of  shares  allotted  was  reported  at  78,970,  which  at  twenty  pounds 
per  share  would  amount  to  1,579,400  pounds.  The  cjuest  for  business  was  cautiouslv 
conducted  at  first,  but  1846  found  the  comjmny  with  representatives  in  India,  Brazil 
and  New  Brunswick.  In  1847  agencies  were  established  in  Chili  and  Peru,  in  1848  in 
lUirbadoes,  Gothenburg  and  Sourabaya,  in  1849  at  St.  John’s,  New  P'oundland.  in 
1850  at  Montreal,  and  in  1851  and  ’52,  respectively,  at  Sidney  and  Melbourne,  Australia, 
and  U.  S.  of  America. 

d'he  company’s  business  prospered  from  the  start,  and  in  1849,  in  less  than  four 
years  after  organization,  the  Directors  authorized  the  sum  of  $441,400  to  be  taken  from 
the  accumulated  funds  and  capitalized  by  adding  five  dollars  to  each  share  issued.  By 
1854,  when  the  Royal  had  agencies  in  all  the  jnancij'ial  countries,  including  the  Ihiited 
States,  the  fire  premiums  amounted  to  $2,845,305.  The  total  assets  are  nearly  fifty 
millions  of  dollars,  of  which  over  twenty-two  millions  are  for  the  protection  of  its  fire 
insurance  business.  Its  fire  premiums  in  1895  amounted  to  more  than  $10,000,000,  the 
largest  fire  premium  income  of  any  conqiany  in  the  world. 


FIRE  AND  MARINE. 


291 


Very  naturally,  the  Royal  has  shared  in  most  of  the  big  fire  losses  of  the  world 
during  the  past  fifty  years  and  has  been  able  to  honor  all  demands  under  its  policies 
promptly.  Its  losses  in  the  Tooly  fire  in  London  were  $400,000,  and  in  the  Boston 
fire  it  paid  over  a million  dollars.  It  lost  $375,000  in  the  fire  that  nearly  destroyed 
St.  John,  New  Brunswick,  and  $500,000  in  the  fire  that  swept  over  St.  John’s,  New 
Foundland,  in  1892.  These  payments  were  jmomptly  made,  and  still  the  funds  kept  on 
accumulating.  During  its  history  several  strong  and  many  small  companies  have  been 
absorbed  by  the  Royal,  the  most  noted  of  which  was  the  amalgamation  of  the  Queen 
Insurance  Company  with  the  Royal  in  1891,  the  largest  transaction  of  the  kind  m 
the  annals  of  insurance. 

There  have  been  comparatively  few  changes  in  the  head  office  management  of  the 
Royal.  Percy  M.  Dove  was  the  first  General  Manager,  then  John  H.  McLaren,  suc- 
ceeded by  Charles  Alcock,  who  holds  that  position  at  the  present  time,  Mr.  Jeffrey 
Beavan  being  Sub-Manager.  The  business  of  this  company  in  the  United  States  dates 
back  forty-five  years,  to  1851-52,  when  it  entered  the  United  States,  with  branches  in 
New  York,  Philadelphia  and  Cincinnati,  under  Mr.  A.  B.  McDonald  in  New  York, 
Geo.  Wood  in  Philadelphia,  and  Dr.  John  S.  Law  in  Cincinnati.  With  Mr.  A.  B. 
McDonald  in  New  York  was  associated  a board  of  United  States  citizens  as  advisory. 
Later  Mr.  E.  F.  Beddall,  connected  with  another  important  branch,  became  associated 
with  Air.  McDonald  and  at  his  death  succeeded  him  and  is  the  jmesent  Resident 
Manager  at  New  York,  being  looked  upon  as  one  of  the  very  foremost  insurance  men 
of  the  day.  No  company  is  more  ably  managed.  Offices  have  been  established  all 
over  this  country.  Law  Brothers  are  managers  of  the  WTstern  Department,  compris- 
ing fourteen  States,  with  offices  in  the  comjiany's  building,  Chicago,  Illinois.  Barbee 
& Castleman,  of  Louisville,  Ky.,  are  Managers  of  the  Southern  Department,  having 
char^ie  of  the  entire  South,  some  twelve  States;  Scull  A I'ield,  of  Boston,  are  Manatjers 
of  New  lUigland  Dejtartment;  John  Tenney,  at  Idriladeljihia,  is  Manager  of  the  Middle 
Department:  Robert  V.  Watt,  of  San  Francisco,  Manager  I’acffic  Coast  Dejxirtment. 
The  conij'iany’s  reputation  for  fair  and  honorable  dealing  is  very  high. 


1<:.  V.  BKDDALI. 


MAXA(;KR  ok  I'IIK  ROVAI,  IXSURAXXE  COMPAXV  at  XKW  YORK. 

To  the  student  of  human  nature  there  is  nothing  more  interesting  than  the  analysis 
of  the  life  history  of  a self-made  man  and  the  study  of  the  characteristics  which  have 
enabled  him  to  pass  many  others  on  the  highway  of  life  and  to  reach  a position  of 
prominence  in  the  community,  d'his  is  iiarticularly  true  of  those  comprising  the  great 
insurance  world  of  this  country,  who  owe  their  advancement,  as  Mr.  Beddall  owes  his, 
to  few  influences  beyond  their  own  stiwling  qualities  and  a fixed  determination  to  succeed 
in  a carefully  chosen  calling.  Since  the  year  1863,  when  E.  F.  I^eddall  became  Super- 
intendent of  Agencies  for  the  London  branch,  he  has  been  connected  with  the  Royal 
Insurance  Company,  and  to-da}-  he  is  one  of  the  most  important  of  the  staff  of  this 
great  corporation,  lieing  its  Resident  New  h'ork  Manager.  Mr.  Beddall  is  a native  of 
that  “right  little,  tight  little  island”  bingland,  and  was  born  in  the  County  of  Essex  in 
the  year  1839.  W'hile  loving  his  native  land  with  that  ardent  feeling  characteristic  of 
all  Enf^lishmen,  i\Ir.  Beddall  has  become  thoroughlv  imbued  with  the  American  feelin<: 
of  independence  and  is  a warm  admirer  of  American  institutions,  under  which  the 
best  years  of  his  life  have  been  spent,  and  where  a lull  measure  of  prosperity  has 
attended  him.  In  the  year  1862  he  first  yisited  the  American  continent,  trayelinc 
through  Canada  and  the  northwestern  portion  of  the  United  States.  Howeyer,  he 
remained  in  the  London  office  until  the  year  1871,  when  he  moved  to  Montreal  and 
became  Manager  of  the  Canadian  branch  of  the  Royal.  Some  two  years  later  he  was 
appointed  Manager  of  the  New'  York  office,  which  position  he  so  ably  filled  that  has 
not  only  since  continued  in  that  cajiacity,  but  has  gathered  to  himself  the  golden 
opinions  of  the  stockholders  and  officials.  Keen  of  discernment,  possessed  of  superior 
Imsiness  ability,  i\Ir.  Ifeddall  has  displayed  managerial  cjualification  as  to  entitle  him  to 
tl'.e  foremost  rank  among  the  American  managers  of  European  companies.  Having 
finally  determined  that  his  permanent  home  and  that  of  his  family  should  be  in  the 
United  States,  he  renounced  his  allegiance  to  Oueen  \hct(n'ia,  in  1888,  and  became  a 
naturalized  citizen  of  the  greatest  republic  ever  know’u,  and  is  in  full  and  thorough 
accord  whth  its  religious,  educational,  political  and  other  institutions  of  a public  nature. 
In  New'  York  he  is  an  active  member  of  lousiness  and  social  circles,  and  is  regarded 
by  all  those  with  w'hom  he  comes  in  contact  as  a steadfast  friend,  and  a man  w'hose 
public  and  jmivate  character  is  alx)ve  reproach.  He  is  Ih'esident  of  the  St.  George 
Society,  one  of  the  oldest  National  societies  of  this  countiw',  and  embracing  in  its  mem- 
l)ership  all  of  the  leading  Englishmen  of  the  city.  So  interested  has  Mr.  Beddall 
l)ecome  in  the  wellfare  of  this  organization  that  he  has  w'ritten  and  had  published  a 
historical  sketch  of  its  origin  and  w'ork.  He  has  been  \’ice-President  of  the  St. 
James  and  is  a member  of  the  Dow'n  Tow'n  Club,  is  a member  of  the  Larchmont  ^'acht 
Club,  is  w'arden  of  the  Church  of  St.  George  the  Martyr,  has  been  one  of  the  Board 
of  Management  of  St.  Luke’s  hospital,  representing  the  interests  of  British  immigrants  in 
that  w'orthy  institution,  and  upon  the  celebration  of  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  the  reign 
of  Oueen  X'ictoria  he  w'as  Chairman  of  the  New  h’ork  Jubilee  Committee.  Mr.  Beddall 
is  among  the  foremost  of  the  insurance  men  of  this  countiw.  and  in  all  respects  is  a 
credit  to  the  land  of  his  ado])tion. 


JOMN  HUGH  LAW 


OF  THE  FIRM  OF  LAW  BRO'niERS,  MANAGERS  WESTERN  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  ROYAL 

INSURANCE  COMPANY  OF  LIYERPOOL. 

John  H.  Law  enjoys  the  distinction  among  the  United  States  representatiYes  as 
lieing  longest  in  the  sei'Yice  of  the  Royal.  The  insurance  liusiness  is  the  hereditarY 

occupation  of  the  Law  family.  Dr.  John  S.  Law,  father  of  John  H.  Law  and  George 
W.  Law,  the  present  Managers  of  the  Western  Department,  opened  the  first  office  of 
the  Royal  Insurance  Company  in  the  West  in  1852.  His  sons  were  bred  to  the  work. 
'I'heir  father’s  motto,  “Be  Diligent  in  Business,”  inscribed  upon  the  mantelpiece  in  the 
old  Cincinnati  office,  has  ever  dominated  their  lives,  and  no  one  knowing  them  ever 
doubts  that  this  has  been  a most  prominent  factor  in  their  success. 

'J'he  Laws  are  members  of  an  old  Southern  family  of  English  descent.  The 
father.  Dr.  John  S.  Law,  was  born  in  Savannah,  Georgia,  came  to  Cincinnati  in  1848, 
and  was  one  of  the  first  appointees  of  the  Royal  Insurance  Company  in  the  United 
States — the  other  two  being  Mr.  McDonald  in  New  York  and  Mr.  George  AVood  in 
Philadelphia. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  educated  under  a private  tutor  and  later  at  Heron 
College,  a noted  school  of  that  day.  He  early  became  associated  with  his  father  in  the 
Cincinnati  office,  continuing  with  him  until  . the  time  of  his  father’s  decease,  and 
succeeding  him  in  the  management  of  the  business.  He  can  record  a continuous 
management — father  and  sons — for  forty-four  years — a record  of  which  the  family  of 
Law  can  well  be  proud. 

John  H.  Law  is  a man  of  strong  personale  and  possessed  of  a rugged  constitution. 
He  is  of  a bold,  fearless  nature,  aggressive,  and  ever  on  the  alert,  and  nothing  can 
deter  him  in  the  performance  of  any  honorable  course  that  makes  for  the  best  inter- 
ests of  the  Royal.  Warm  in  his  friendships,  he  counts  every  man  a friend  who  is  a 
worthy  representative  of  the  Royal  Insurance  Company.  Genial  of  manner,  his  social 
life  is  strongly  marked.  Numbered  among  his  personal  friends  are  men  prominent  in 
the  affairs  of  the  country,  who  admire  him  for  his  strength  of  principle  and  dignity  of 
character. 

He  is  ardent  in  his  enjoyment  of  field  sports,  and,  a true  lover  of  nature,  re- 
treats to  her  solitudes  at  his  vacation  periods  to  renew'  his  strength  and  gather  from 
that  source  vigor  of  mind  and  body,  all  of  w'hich  has  tended  .greatly  to  the  ruggedness 
of  physi(}ue  for  which  he  is  noted. 

The  untiring  zeal  of  the  Law'  family  has  tended  to  place  the  Royal  prominently 
in  the  front  throughout  the  old  Cincinnati  Department.  One  year  ago  the  fealty  of 
the  Messrs.  Law'  was  forcibly  demonstrated  in  the  breaking  up  and  removal  from  their 
old  home  and  associations  in  Cincinnati  to  Chicago,  to  become  Alanagers  of  the  com- 
bined territory  formerly  constituting  the  Central  and  Northw'estern  Departments,  com- 
prising fourteen  States.  Their  ajipointment  to  the  management  of  this  enlarged  field, 
now'  known  as  the  Western  Department,  after  years  of  thorough  testing,  set  the  seal 
of  appreciative  ajiproval  upon  their  untiring  faithfulness  to  the  company’s  interests. 
Such  is  the  measure  of  confidence  with  which  the  Royal  Insurance  Company  has  recog- 
nized nearl)'  fifty  years  of  faithlul  service  on  the  part  of  the  Law  family.  To  be  ap- 
preciated in  one’s  life  w'ork  is  the  goal  which  honest  ambition  is  always  seeking.  When 
you  add  to  appreciation  merited  rew'ard,  you  place  the  cajistone  on  the  structure. 


•204 


(;p:ok’(;p:  wallacp:  law 


OF  THF  FIRM  OF  LAW  BROTHERS,  MANAGERS  WESTERN  DEPARrMEN'l'  OF  THE  ROYAL 

INSURANCE  COMPANY  OE  LIYERPOOL. 

This  gentleman,  together  with  his  brother,  John  II.  Law,  whose  biography  precedes, 
constitute  the  firm  of  Law  Brothers,  Managers  of  the  Western  Department  of  the 
Royal  Insurance  Company.  He  receiYed  a liberal  education;  was  fitted  for  Yale 
College  (where  his  father  graduated  with  distinguished  honors),  but  turned  aside  to  enter 
upon  a business  career.  In  1873  he  entered  his  father’s  office,  and  there  was  most 
thoroughly  grounded  in  every  detail  of  the  business.  His  training  was  thorough,  for 
his  father  had  the  reputation  of  being  a strict  disciplinarian,  a man  of  unusual  caj'iacity 
and  sterling  integrity.  With  such  business  discipline.  Dr.  Law's  sons  were  well  fitted 
to  succeed  him. 

After  the  death  of  Dr.  Law,  the  firm  of  John  11.  Law  & Brothers  was  formed 
in  1 88 1,  consisting  of  John  H.  Law  and  George  W.  Law,  together  with  another 
brother,  Charles  II.  Law,  who  is  now  in  charge  of  the  Cincinnati  office.  The  man- 
agement of  the  Central  Dejiartment  thus  continued  until  August,  1895,  when  the  two 
lirothers,  John  H.  and  George  W. , moved  to  Chicago  (having  had  bestowed  upon  them 
by  the  Royal  the  signal  honor  of  enlarged  responsibility,  as  described  in  the  biographv 
of  John  H.  Law  preceding),  and  formed  the  firm  of  Law  Brothers,  Managers  for  the 
new  Western  Department. 

George  W.  Law  is  an  earnest  student,  and  bears  the  reputation  of  being  one  of 
the  hardest  workers  in  the  profession.  The  details  of  the  business  are  thoroughly 
within  his  grasp,  and  little  escapes  him  that  makes  for  its  advancement.  Indefatigable, 
original  and  progressive,  he  is  ever  controlled  by  a lofty  ambition  to  worthily  win  the 
largest  attainable  success  for  the  Royal,  and  is  never  so  happy  as  when  planning  some 
new  measure  of  strength. 

His  far-sighted  policy  and  close  application  have  contributed  in  a marked  degree 
to  the  success  attending  the  work  of  their  firm. 

In  private  life,  Mr.  Law  is  noted  among  his  friends  as  being  a man  of  true  re- 
finement, delicate  and  sensitive  in  all  his  tastes,  and  enjoying  to  the  fullest  whatever 
pertains  to  the  artistic  in  home  life.  Fond  of  the  best  in  literature,  his  recreation  is 
found  in  his  books,  to  which  he  is  devoted,  having  collected  a library  of  the  most 
select  character.  lie  has  the  highest  sense  t)f  personal  honor,  and  nothing  can  induce 
him  to  serve  a selfish  end  at  the  expense  of  his  princi}')les. 

Both  of  these  brothers  have  the  reputation  of  being  men  of  the  utmost  courage 
and  spirit,  whose  loyalty  to  the  Royal  is  as  marked  as  their  regard  for  the  honor  of 
their  family  name. 

It  occurs  few  times  in  the  history  of  any  great  business  or  profession  that  men 
are  honored  more  for  fidelity  or  receive  higher  reward  than  has  been  accorded  to  these 
gentlemen  b\-  the  Royal  Insurance  Company,  whose  welfare  they  have  ever  ser\'ed. 


CHARLES  II.  CASK 


MANAGER  FOR  COOK  COCN'l'V,  ILLINOIS,  OF  TIIF  ROYAL  INSURANCE  COMPANY. 

The  State  of  Vermont  is  always  suggestive  of  the  lumest,  hard  and  rugged  characters 
in  human  life.  It  presents  to  the  mind  pictures  of  the  bold  (Keen  Mountain  boys  and 
brave  Ethan  Allen  before  the  gates  of  Ticonderoga.  It  was  people  like  those  who 
won  their  independence  from  the  Eritish  king  and  laid  the  basis  of  this  great  American 
nation.  It  is  their  descendants  who  have  become  prominent  in  all  the  affairs  of  the 
country  and  formed  the  nucleus  of  a great  territory  and  a great  people.  Charles  H. 
Case,  Manager  for  Cook  County  of  the  Royal  Insurance  Company,  is  a native  of 
Vermont,  born  in  the  town  of  Coventry,  Orleans  Count}",  September  8,  1S29.  His 
father  was  a Congregational  minister  and  did  much  pioneer  work  in  the  Green  Moun- 
tain State  in  those  early  days.  His  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Phoebe  Hollister, 
was  descended  from  one  of  the  best  known  Connecticut  families. 

The  Cases  came  originally  from  Yorkshire,  England,  and  hrst  settled  in  Connecticut. 
Existing  records  show  that  the  family  was  already  established  in  the  North  of  England 
as  early  as  the  iith  century.  Its  coat  of  arms  is  a flying  globe  on  an  azure  held, 
with  the  motto.  Super  sidera  votum.  Several  ancestors  on  both  sides  took  active  part 
in  the  Revolutionary  War,  shedding  their  blood  and  laying  down  their  lives  for 
independence. 

Until  about  the  age  of  sixteen  Charles  H.  Case  attended  the  common  school  of 
his  native  town,  and  then  began  clerking  in  a country  store,  where  he  obtained  the 
varied  experience  that  the  handling  of  its  heterogeneous  stock  those  comparatively 
primitive  times  afforded.  After  spending  three  years  in  that  manner  he  entered  an 
advanced  school  and  took  a course  of  study  equivalent  to  the  ordinary  college  curriculum 
of  those  early  days.  This  enabled  him  to  carry  out  a plan,  long  formed,  to  engage  in 
the  teaching  profession,  and  he  immediately  turned  his  face  toward  the  setting  sun, 
reaching  Illinois,  where  he  taught  in  a private  school.  Eor  several  years  he  wielded 
the  ferule  and  then  became  Superintendent  of  Graded  Schools,  which  position  he  held 
until  embarking  in  the  insurance  business. 

Wdiile  still  holding  this  position  he  became  interested  in  the  local  business,  represent- 
ing the  City  Eire  Insurance  Company  of  Peoria,  the  .-Etna,  and  several  other  companies. 
This  was  as  early  as  1858.  Success  rewarded  him  in  this  branch  of  human  endeavor, 
and  he  subsequently  withdrew  from  the  educational  field  and  devoted  himself  exclusively 
to  insurance.  Shortly  afterward  he  became  Special  Agent  of  the  Home  Insurance 
Comjiany,  with  which  he  remained  for  about  three  years,  and  then,  early  in  the  sixties, 
became  S)')ecial  Agent  and  subse(}uently  Assistant  General  Agent  for  the  Insurance 
Company  of  North  America,  a position  he  held  up  to  the  time  of  the  Chicago  fire. 
After  that  he  liecame  Manager  ol  the  Royal  Insurance  Company  for  the  Northwestern 
States,  and  continued  in  that  capacity  until  the  year  1890.  His  connection  with  the 
Insurance  Company  of  North  America  extended  over  a period  of  thirty  years. 

Besides  hlling  the  position  of  Superintendent  of  Graded  Schools,  as  above 
mentioned,  Mr.  Case  was  President  of  the  Hoard  of  Directors  of  the  Washingtonian 
I lome,  of  Chicago,  for  twenty  years,  and  held  the  office  of  Alderman  in  the  Chicago 
Citv  Council  for  two  years.  He  always  had  a decided  taste  for  the  natural  sciences, 
which  he  has  cultivated,  more  or  less,  all  his  life,  as  business  cares  permitted.  He  has 
made  several  trips  to  ITirope  and  has  \isited  the  principal  places  of  interest  on  that 
continent.  Originally  he  was  reared  a Congregationalist,  and  is  now  a member  of  that 
church . 


800 


r H E II  N D E R W R I T E R. 


No  one  has  been  more  prominent  in  the  underwriting  profession  during  the  past 
thirty  years  than  Mr.  Case.  Having  a thoroughly  logical  and  analytical  mind,  and 
with  full  knowledge  of  the  law  of  insurance,  which  he  acquired  early  in  his  career,  he 
has  been,  and  still  is,  constantly  consulted  on  the  intricate  legal  c|uestions  which 
incessantl}'  arise  in  this  business,  and  his  decisions  are  received  with  implicit  confidence. 

I le  has  been  a most  loyal  citizen  of  Chicago,  and  in  the  panic  which  followed  the  great 
confiagrations  in  this  city — and  when  many  strong  companies  were  about  to  retire — it 
was  his  firm  and  indej^endent  action  which  finally  restored  confidence  and  prevented 
this  city  from  l)eing  without  the  security  afforded  by  the  large  insurance  companies. 
Mr.  Case’s  underwriting  views  have  always  been  on  conservative  lines,  looking  rather 
to  securing  profit  for  the  interests  which  he  represented  than  obtaining  a large  volume 
of  business  without  due  regard  to  its  (juality. 

In  politics  he  is  substantially  in  accord  with  the  Republican  party.  On  the  25th 
of  March,  1H52,  he  married  Miss  Laura  Perry  Farnsworth,  a native  of  \’ermont.  They 
have  no  children. 

EDWARD  P)EECHER  CASE 
max.v(;kr  for  cook  coiwrv  of  'I'hk  rovaf  ixsuranck  comfaxv. 

There  are  men  of  such  broad  minds,  wide  information  and  wonderful  tact  that, 
by  husbanding  their  forces  and  planning  their  various  enterprises  with  something  like 
military  precision,  they  are  enabled  to  accomplish  splendid  results  in  different  walks  of 
life.  Gifted  with  natural  ability  of  a high  order.  Mr.  Ivdward  Beecher  Case  has  devoted 
his  talent  to  the  insurance  business,  in  which  he  has  gained  a prominent  place  and  an 
enviable  rejuitation.  lie  is  at  present  a member  of  the  firm  of  Case  & Conqiany, 
Managers  for  Cook  County  of  the  Ivoyal  Insurance  Company  of  Liverpool  and  the 
Svea  Assurance  Company  of  Sweden,  and  Local  Agents  of  the  London  Assurance 
Corporation  of  London. 

Mr.  Case  was  born  in  the  Bay  State,  the  city  of  Boston,  February  2,  1853,  but 
for  a number  of  years  has  resided  at  Evanston,  Cook  County,  Illinois.  He  is  a son 
of  L)’man  G.  Case  (brother  of  Charles  H.  Case  of  Chicago).  The  father  was  born  in 
\Trmont,  and  the  mother,  Mary  (Cushing)  Case,  was  a native  of  iMaine,  born  at 
Turner,  and  seventh  in  descent  from  john  Alclen,  who  came  over  in  the  Mayflower  in 
1620. 

Ifdward  B.  Case  attended  the  public  schools  of  Cambridge,  Massachusetts,  until 
he  had  reached  the  age  of  fifteen,  and  then  entered  the  employ  of  Case  & Heywood, 
at  that  time  State  Agents  and  Adjusters  for  the  Insurance  Conqiany  of  North  America, 
where  he  remained  for  a little  over  a year,  serving  in  the  capacity  of  office  boy. 
Returning  to  the  East  to  coirqdete  his  education,  Mr.  Case  entered  Phillips  Academv, 
Andover,  Massachusetts,  where  he  graduated  in  1873. 

In  the  sjning  of  that  year  he  entered  Vale  College,  but  on  account  of  poor  health  was 
obliged  to  give  up  his  college  ])lans.  Later,  or  in  1875,  he  entered  the  insurance  office 
of  his  uncle,  Charles  11.  Case,  and  has  been  with  him  continuously  since,  occupving 
every  position  in  the  office.  He  is  at  present  'breasurer  of  the  I'nderwriters’  Associa- 
tion of  Chicago,  a nmmber  of  the  Ibiion  League  Club  of  Chicago,  the  Society  of  Colo- 
nial Wars  of  Chicago,  and  the  Evanston  and  Country  clubs  of  IG'anston.  Mr.  Case 
is  a Trustee  of  the  Congregational  Church  ot  bA'anston.  and  is  a regular  attendant  of 


T H E U N D E R W R I T E R. 


;^()2 

the  same.  His  political  views  accord  with  those  of  the  Kepuhlican  jiarty,  with  which 
he  has  always  been  identified. 

Mr.  Case  selected  his  wife  in  the  person  of  Miss  Lily  Prentiss,  daughter  of  Rev. 
N.  A.  Prentiss,  of  Aurora,  Illinois,  and  their  marriage  took  place  in  the  year  1880. 
Four  children  were  born  to  them,  one  son  and  three  daughters.  i\Ir.  Case  has  two 
brothers  in  the  insurance  business,  Charles  Lyman  Case,  the  United  States  iManager  of 
the  London  Assurance  Corporation,  and  Frank  C.  Case,  a jirominent  local  agent  of 
St.  Louis,  and  State  x\gent  of  the  Pennsylvania  Fire. 

Mr.  Case’s  success  in  the  insurance  business  has  l)een  the  result  more  of  his  own 
efforts,  sagacity  and  sound  judgment  than  of  any  other  cause.  Lie  is  cjuick,  accurate 
and  reliable,  and  has  a genius  for  hard  work,  which  enables  him  to  dispatch  an 
immense  amount  of  work  day  after  day. 


GEORGF  WOOD 

l.Al'E  MAXAC.EK  MIDDl.E  OEI’ARTMENT  oE  I'lIE  ROYAL  INSURAXXE  CO.MPAW. 

Mr.  George  Wood  was  born  in  January,  1818,  in  lidinburgh,  Scotland;  his  father. 
Lord  Wood,  being  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Court  of  Sessions. 

He  studied  in  Edinburgh  and  afterward  in  Germany.  After  leaving  school  he  was 
employed  for  some  time  in  the  large  dry  goods  house  of  Mr.  Timothy  Wiggins  in 
London,  among  whose  correspondents  was  the,  at  that  time,  welbknown  dry  goods 
house  of  A.  & G.  Ralston  of  Philadelphia.  In  1837  Mr.  Wood  determined  to  come 
to  America,  and  obtained  a situation  with  them.  After  a few  years  he  went  into  the 
dry  goods  business  on  his  own  account  with  Messrs.  Wells  & Fuller,  the  firm  being 
W’ood,  Fuller  & Wells. 

In  1851,  while  being  on  a visit  to  his  parents,  he  was  informed  that  Mr.  Dove, 
the,  at  that  time.  Manager  of  the  Royal  Insurance  Compan}',  and  a personal  friend  of 
his  family,  was  contemj')lating  the  establishing  of  agencies  in  the  United  States,  and 
wished  an  interview  with  him  on  the  subject.  i\Ir.  Wood  called  on  him  in  Liverpool, 
and  agreed  to  consider  the  (Question  on  his  return  to  Philadelphia,  and  write  him  on 
the  sul)ject.  This  he  did,  and  received  the  appointment  of  Agent  of  the  company  in 
the  spring  of  1852,  a position  he  filled  most  efficiently  until  the  time  of  his  death, 
September  4,  1895. 

In  1855  the  firm  of  Wood,  I'uller  & Wells  was  dissolved,  and  from  that  time 
Mr.  W'ood  gave  all  his  time  to  the  interest  of  the  Royal  Insurance  Company.  By 
i860  the  Philadelphia  agency  was  in  receijR  of  about  $100,000  of  annual  premiums,  a 
very  large  business  for  those  days.  In  1870  his  field  was  extended  to  cover  the  States 
of  Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey  and  Delaware.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  the 
oldest  living  emplo}’e  of  the  comjiany,  having  served  them  about  forty-three  years. 
During  his  management  the  company  received  in  his  department  in  premiums 
$13,119,360.04,  with  losses  amounting  to  $7,842,199.08,  which  included  $107,000  lost  at 
Chicago  on  business  written  in  Philadelidda,  lor  which  they  received  about  $7,000  in 
ju'cmiums. 

Mr.  Wood  always  held  a most  prominent  position  among  the  underwriters  of 
Philadelphia,  and  his  ojnnion  on  aiu'  question  of  policy  or  disjuite  was  always  high!}’ 
regarded.  Everyone  doing  business  with  him  felt  that  the\'  could  absoluteh’  rel\'  upon 


r II  K U N D E RW  R IT  E R. 


8(»4 

his  word,  and  the  result  was  that  the  Royal  Insurance  Company  obtained  a local 
position  in  Philadelphia  which  it  is  rarely  the  fortune  for  a foreign  corporation  to  obtain. 

Mr.  Wood  was  a believer  in  all  organizations  for  the  promotion  and  benefit  of  the 
fire  insurance  l)usiness,  and  always  occupied  a prominent  position  therein,  being  at  the 
time  of  his  death  a member  of  the  Ivxecutive'  Committee  of  the  Philadelphia  Fire 
V nderwriters'  Association. 

Mr.  Wood’s  death  was  the  occasion  of  unusual  sorrow,  for  all  felt  the  loss  sustained 
by  his  death.  Genial,  accomplished,  unpretentious,  few  men  have  been  more  highlv 
respected. 


JOHN  PENNEY 


MAXAC.KR  OF  TIIK  .M[I)I)LK  D F I’A R'l'.M EXT  OF  ROVAL  IXSURAXCF  COMl’AXV. 

It  increases  one's  ])ride  in  liis  country  when  he  meets  in  all  the  activities  of  life 

exam]')le  alter  example  of  men  who  have  risen  from  the  ranks,  step  by  step,  to  the 

highest  positions.  Here  there  are  no  permanent  classes;  the  poor  man  of  to-day  may 
l)e  the  rich  man  of  to-morrow.  The  l)oy  with  talent,  honest}'  and  industry  is  a candi- 
date for  a better  place  as  soon  as  he  is  fitted  for  it.  John  Tenney,  Manager  of  the 

Royal  Insurance  Company’s  Pennsylvania  Department,  is  an  illustration.  He  has  risen 
to  his  present  position  by  reason  of  splendid  business  and  executive  abilities. 

Mr.  Tenney  is  a native  of  the  Old  Kay  State,  born  at  Methuen,  December  14, 
1847,  and  is  now  a resident  of  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania.  His  parents,  John  and 
Augusta  (Sprague)  Tenney,  were  natives  of  New  England  and  of  New  England  ancestrv. 
The  Tenneys  settled  in  Massachusetts  in  1638,  and  the  Spragues  as  early  as  1623,  with 
Miles  Standish.  These  ancestors  were  prominent  men  in  the  colonial  period  and  both 
liranches  were  represented  in  the  wars  of  1776,  1812  and  1861. 

John  Tenney,  Jr.,  received  his  education  at  Ifiiillips  Academy  in  Andover,  Massa- 
chusetts, and,  following  the  example  of  many  young  men  of  the  time,  he  went  to  sea  when 
but  fourteen  years  old,  in  the  merchant  service.  This  was  a long  voyage,  for  the  first 
one,  as  they  went  to  Australia,  New  Zealand,  East  India  and  China.  Returning  to 
the  United  States  in  1864,  Mr.  Tenney  entered  the  naval  service  as  a master  mate  and 
served  until  some  time  after  the  war.  After  that  eventful  period  he  was  engaged  in 
various  enterprises  until  1870,  when  he  entered  the  office  of  the  North  British  and 
Mercantile  Insurance  Company  in  New  Y’ork,  and  became  Special  Agent  for  the  IMiddle 
Department  in  1875. 

This  jmsition  he  resigned  in  1882  and  entered  the  service  of  the  C'lerman  American 
Insurance  Company  of  New  Y’ork  as  Special  Agent  in  the  same  field.  The  duties  of 
that  position  he  discharged  in  a capable  and  satisfactory  manner,  until  1885,  when  he 
left  that  company  to  become  associated  with  Henry  \\’.  Brown  of  Philadelphia,  in  the 
management  of  the  Southeastern  Department  of  the  Niagara  of  New  Y’ork. 

Previous  to  this,  in  1890,  he  became  Assistant  Ylanager  of  the  Royal  for  the 
Pennsylvania  Dejiartment,  with  headcjuarters  at  Philadelphia,  and  after  the  death  of 
Mr.  ( leorge  Wood,  in  September,  1895,  became  Ylanager.  Mr.  Tenne}’  has  made 
it  the  one  rule  of  his  life  to  do  his  whole  dutv  as  best  he  could  wherever  placed,  and 
is  content  to  let  results  do  all  the  talking. 


KICIIAKI)  EMORY  WARIMELI) 


ASSrSTANT  MAXAdER  MIDDLE  DE I’A RTM EN'l'  OE  'I'HE  ROVAl-  INSURANCE  COMPANY. 

Conspicuous  among  those  in  the  fields  of  insurance  who  have  been  endowed  with 
native  ability  and  talent  is  R.  Emory  Warheld,  Assistant  Manager  of  Philadelphia 
Department  of  the  Royal  Insurance  Company.  By  a thorough  knowledge  of  the  busi- 
ness, gained  step  liy  step,  while  in  the  employ  of  some  of  the  most  solid  and  substantial 
insurance  comjianies  of  this  country,  he  has  won  an  excellent  reputation  and  is  eminently 
qualified  for  the  position  he  now  holds.  lie  has  always  done  good  service,  has  a capacitv 
lor  employment,  and  is  thoroughly  alive  to  the  interests  of  the  company  he  represents. 

lie  first  saw  the  light  in  Baltimore  County,  Maryland,  at  “Manor  Glen,”  the  family 
homestead,  August  ii,  1855,  but  for  some  time  now  has  resided  in  the  “City  of 
lE'otherly  Love."  He  is  a son  of  Hon.  Henry  Mactier  and  Anna  (Emory)  Warfield, 
natives  of  Maryland.  The  father  was  a member  of  the  Maryland  Legislature  at  the 
breaking  out  of  civil  war  and  experienced  all  the  horrors  of  prison  life,  having  been 
conhned  in  Eort  McHenry,  Eortress  klonroe,  Eort  Lafayette  and  Eort  Warren,  for  six- 
teen months. 

Iv.  Emorv  Warheld  took  a general  course  of  studies  in  the  private  school  of  Mr. 
George  G.  Carey  in  Baltimore,  Maryland,  during  his  youth,  and  early  evinced  a decided 
liking  for  reading,  which  taste  has  continued  with  him  up  to  the  present  time.  He  has 
a great  liking  for  country  life  and  now  owns  and  conducts  a stock  farm  of  two  hundred 
acres  about  twelve  miles  from  Baltimore,  Maryland,  where  he  resided  previous  to  his 
removal  to  Philadelphia.  In  the  year  1870  he  entered  the  office  of  Messrs.  J.  I.  i\Iid- 
dleton  & Company,  cotton  factors,  of  Baltimore,  Maryland. 

He  remained  with  that  firm  until  1871  and  then  became  junior  clerk  in  the  office 
of  the  Eiremen’s  Insurance  Company  of  Baltimore,  Maryland.  In  1878  he  was  elected 
Secretary  of  this  company,  a position  his  ability  and  fidelity  merited,  but  resigned  that 
position  in  1882  to  take  charge  of  the  States  of  Maryland  and  Delaware  for  the  Con- 
tinental Insurance  Company  of  New  "^hirk.  He  successfully  managed  its  business  in 
those  States,  greatly  increasing  its  receipts,  and  enjoying  the  personal  friendship  of  its 
late  President,  Mr.  George  T.  Hope,  during  his  connection  with  that  company. 

In  the  year  1885  he  resigned  that  position  and  transferred  his  service  to  the  Royal 
Insurance  Company  of  Liverpool,  becoming  Manager  of  the  Baltimore  Department,  com- 
prising the  States  of  klarvkind,  \hrginia,  North  Carolina  and  District  of  Columbia. 
West  X’irginia  was  added  to  the  department  in  1895.  ^^kudield  managed  the  Bal- 

timore Department  most  ably  until  January  i,  1896,  at  which  date  the  Philadelphia  and 
Baltimore  departments  were  consolidated,  with  Mr.  John  Tenney  as  Manager  and 
Mr.  Warfield  as  Assistant  Manager.  Their  States  are  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Del- 
aware, Maryland,  Virginia,  North  Carolina,  West  \’irginia  and  District  of  Columbia,  with 
headquarters  at  306  Walnut  Street,  Philadelphia.  Mr.  Warfield  has  never  been  out  of 
employment  a single  day  since  he  started  in  the  insurance  business  in  1870. 

He  has  lieen  identified  with  various  manufacturing  enterprises  in  the  city  of  Bal- 
timore, and  his  social  relations  are  very  pleasant.  Mr.  Warfield  is  a member  of  the 
Roval  Arcanum,  Order  of  the  Golden  Chain  and  Order  Heptasophs.  He  has  traveled 
quite  extensively,  over  this  countrv,  Canada,  Nova  Scotia  and  Cuba.  Erom  youth  up 
he  has  been  a member  of  the  Episcopal  Church.  In  politics  he  is  pronounced  Tariff 
Reform  Democrat  of  the  “Cleveland”  stamp.  On  the  19th  of  April,  1881.  he  married 
Miss  Betty  Davies,  a great-grandniece  of  President  Monroe. 

HOG 


GEORGE  P.  EIEED 


MANAGER  OF  THE  ROYAL  INSURANCE  COMPANY  OF  ENGLAND  AND  THE  PENNSYLYANIA  FIRE,  OF 

ITIILADELPIIIA  FOR  NE\Y  ENGLAND. 

The  energy  and  determination  which  characterize  the  American  citizen  as  a whole 
are  nowhere  to  be  found  so  well  illustrated  as  in  the  insurance  business,  nor  is  their 
native  high  principle  and  fairness  of  purpose  more  thoroughly  exemplified  than  in  this 
great  industry.  Prominent  among  those  who  have  won  a name  in  this  branch  of 
human  endeavor  is  George  P.  Eield,  ^Manager  of  the  Royal  Insurance  Company  of 
England  and  of  the  Pennsylvania  Eire,  of  Philadelphia.  Ilis  life  has  been  an  active 
one,  fraught  with  good  common  sense,  and  his  vigorous,  businessdike  administration  as 
Manager  is  further  proof  of  his  extraordinary  executive  powers. 

Mr.  Eield  is  a product  of  the  Pine  Tree  State,  born  in  Searsmont,  MTldo 
County,  October  17,  1844.  A few  months  later  his  parents  removed  to  the  shire  town 
of  the  county,  Belfast,  where  the  father  subsecjnently  became  Registrar  of  Probate  and 
incidentally  the  local  agent.  In  the  public  schools  of  Belfast  young  Eield  gained  his 
primary  education  and  later  entered  the  high  school,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in 
1S60,  afterward  entering  his  father’s  office  to  take  charge  of  the  insurance  branch. 
At  that  time  the  elder  Eield  represented  the  “Springfield,”  the  “Massasoit  of  Spring- 
field,”  the  “New  England,  of  Hartford,”  the  “Putnam,  of  Hartford,”  the  “Hartford,” 
and  the  “Home,”  of  New  Haven. 

George  P.  Eield  remained  in  his  father’s  office  until  the  first  draft  was  ordered 
for  troops  during  the  Civil  War,  when  he  was  engaged  by  the  Provost  Marshal  as  a 
temporary  clerk,  expecting  to  remain  there  a week  or  ten  days.  In  fact,  however,  he 
continued  in  that  office  until  after  the  surrender  of  Richmond,  being  appointed  in  1864 
Deputy  Ih'ovost  Marshal,  in  full  charge  of  the  clerical  work  of  the  entire  district.  Later 
he  was  appointed  Deputy  Collector  of  Customs,  but  held  that  position  but  a short 
time. 

He  was  married  in  1870,  and  soon  afterward  moved  to  Bangor,  Maine,  where  he 
liecame  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  “National  Fire  Insurance  Company  of  Bangor,”  a 
company  whose  brilliant  career  was  terminated  by  the  untortunate  conflagration  in 
Boston  in  1872.  He  was  with  that  company  less  than  a year,  and  then  was  engaged 
by  the  “First  National  Fire,”  of  Worcester,  Massachusetts,  as  Special  Agent.  Later 
he  became  their  General  Agent,  and  at  the  time  of  the  Boston  fire  was  the  Secretar'. 
of  the  company,  and  in  the  following  year  had  the  pleasure  of  paying  the  stockholders 
the  first  dividend  that  the  company  had  ever  earned. 

In  the  summer  of  1873  he  resigned  the  secretaryship  to  accept  the  special 
Agency  of  the  “Royal”  and  “Pennsylvania”  fibre  Insurance  companies,  then  as  now 
under  Boston  management,  the  name  of  the  firm  then  being  Foster  & Scull.  Later 
he  was  appointed  General  Agent,  and  in  1885  became  a member  of  the  firm.  In 
these  times  of  agency  changes,  it  is  interesting  to  note  that  the  firm  of  which  iMr.  fibeld 
is  a member  has  since  1872,  with  the  exception  of  a few  years  when  the  “London 
and  Lancashire”  was  in  the  agency,  represented  the  same  companies  without  change — 
the  New  Ivngland  Agency  of  the  “Royal”  and  “Pennsylvania,”  and  the  Boston 
agency  of  the  “Insurance  Company  of  North  America”  and  the  “American,”  of 
Philadelifliia. 

Mr.  fi'ield  is  a member  of  the  oldest  military  organization  in  America — the 

30.S 


THE  U N E R W R I T E R. 


;R() 

Ancient  and  Honorable  Artillery  Company  of  Boston.  This  membership  involves  the 
necessity  of  his  eating  two  or  three  company  dinners  annually,  and  paying  certain  fines 
and  assessments,  in  consideration  of  which  he  enjoys  an  exemption  from  jury  duty, 
lie  is  connected  with  the  difi(;rent  Masonic  organizations  and  a member  of  several 
of  the  Boston  clubs — Algontjuin,  IMerchants’,  Eastern  Yacht,  Corinthian  Yacht,  Boston 
Press,  Bine  Tree  State,  Boston  Art  Clul)  and  Exchange  Club.  He  has  been  President 
of  the  New  Ivngland  Insurance  Exchange,  President  of  the  Boston  Protective  Depart- 
ment. and  Chairman  of  the  New  England  Bureau  of  United  Inspection. 


EDMUND  BKAINERD  COWEES 

ASSISTAXr  MANAGER  OF  rilE  KOVAE  INSURANCE  COMl’ANN'  OE  EIVERI’OOL  AND  ’mE 
I'ENNSVEVANIA  EIRE  OE  FT  1 1 LA  D ELRH I A FOR  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Was  born  in  New  Haven,  Connecticut,  May  31,  1846,  and  is  descended  from  an 
old  and  prominent  English  family;  on  the  mother’s  side  of  the  Thompsons,  of  Lenham, 
England,  who  were  among  the  earliest  settlers  and  signers  of  the  New  Haven  Colony. 
His  father,  Edmund  B.  Cowles,  was  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  New  Plaven,  and  a 
comparatively  young  man  when  he  died  in  1856.  His  son,  Edmund,  was  educated  in 
the  public  and  private  schools  for  which  New  Haven  is  so  noted,  and  graduated  with 
the  highest  honors  of  his  class. 

After  completing  his  education  he  began  his  business  career  at  Bridgeport,  Con- 
necticut, in  1862,  as  bookdveeper  in  the  leading  lumber  concern  of  Eairfield  County,  at 
that  time,  where  he  remained  until  1865.  A strong  desire  to  reside  in  his  native  city 
induced  him  to  accept  the  position  of  a junior  clerk  there,  and  he  was  subseciuently 
promoted  to  the  position  of  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Home  Insurance  Company,  which 
at  that  time  was  one  of  the  leading  agency  companies  of  the  country.  Later,  in  1870, 
he  accepted  the  position  of  General  Agent  of  one  of  the  Philadelphia  companies  and 
for  about  two  years  was  engaged  in  the  field  work. 

Mr.  Cowles’  ability  and  honorable  methods  were  so  well  known  that  in  PYbruary, 
[872,  when  the  Meriden  Eire  Insurance  Company  was  organized  by  the  citizens  of 
Meriden,  Connecticut,  he  was  tendered  the  secretaryship.  That  position  he  accepted 
and  he  took  charge  of  the  company,  which  transacted  a general  agency  business  through- 
out the  United  States.  Under  his  management  the  business  was  conducted  in  a most 
able  manner,  and  the  company  enjoyed  a prosperous  career,  always  returning  good  divi- 
dends to  its  stockholders.  It  was  with  many  regrets  of  its  agents  that  Mr.  Cowles,  in 
January,  1892,  recommended  the  Directors,  in  view  of  the  (juestionable  outlook  at  that 
time  for  small  companies,  to  reinsure  the  outstanding  risks  of  the  company  and  retire 
from  business,  which  recommendation  they  adopted,  and  the  capital  and  surplus,  equal - 
in"  one-half  that  amount,  remained  for  division  among  the  stockholders  as  an  evidence 
of  good  management. 

On  the  ist  of  July,  1892,  Mr.  Cowles  accepted  the  position  of  Assistant  Manager 
of  the  Royal  Insurance  Company  at  Boston,  and  he  is  now  engaged  most  activel}’  in 
the  duties  of  that  ]H)sition.  He  is  one  of  the  popular  and  reliable  insurance  men  of  the 
East,  and  is  possessed  of  great  force  of  character,  tenacity  of  purpose  and  unswerving 
integrity.  During  his  residence  in  Meriden  he  was  for  some  time  in  the  city  govern- 
ment, Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Eire  Commissioners,  also  a Director  in  the  leading 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


:5 1 2 

National  Bank  and  other  stock  companies,  which  positions  he  still  retains.  He  has  always 
given  a conscientious  siprport  to  all  measures  conducive  to  the  permanent  welfare  of  his 
fellow-citizens,  and  is  justly  entitled  to  the  success  that  has  fallen  to  his  lot.  He  is 
active,  vigorous  and  enterprising,  and  by  his  many  estimable  cjualities  has  drawn  around 
him  many  warm  friends.  Mr.  Cowles  is  a worthy  member  of  the  Ancient  and  Honor- 
able Artillery  of  Boston,  whose  organization  dates  back  over  a hundred  years,  and  he 
is  also  an  active  member  of  the  Algonquin  and  Exchange  clubs  of  that  city. 


ROLLA  VERNON  WATT 

MANAGER  OF  THE  ROYAL  INSURANCE  COMPANY  OF  LIVERPOOL  AND  QUEEN  INSURANCE 
COMPANY  OF  AMERICA  FOR  THE  PACIFIC  COAST. 

The  life  of  Rolla  Wrnon  Watt,  Manager  of  the  Royal  Insurance  Company  of 
Eiverpool  and  Queen  Insurance  Company  of  America,  is  in  some  respects  a verv 
interesting  one.  It  is  a life  which  exemplifies  all  those  cjualities  which  form  the  character 
of  the  self-made  man,  and,  as  such,  it  conveys  its  own  lesson  to  everyone  who  may 
read  it,  and  this  article  will  commend  itself  to  all  as  an  honest,  if  imperfect,  attempt, 
to  tell  something  of  the  career  of  one  who,  under  all  circumstances,  has  striven 
conscientiously  to  do  his  whole  duty,  and  in  so  doing  has  reached  a high  degree  of 
success. 

Born  in  Camden,  Prelile  County,  Ohio,  Eebruary  19,  1857,  he  passed  his  youth 
in  attending  the  public  schools  of  Eaton,  in  the  same  county,  working  during  vacation 
seasons.  His  father,  James  Alexander  Watt,  was  a harness  maker  by  trade,  but  by 
}irofession  and  practice  a school  teacher,  being  Principal  of  the  schools  of  Camden, 
Ohio,  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  1862.  Young  Watt  was  but  five  years  old  when  his 
father  died,  and  grew  to  manhood  under  the  Christian  influence  of  his  mother,  a noble 
woman.  Stirring  and  ambitious,  he  did  not  wait  for  success  to  come  to  him,  but  when 
but  a small  boy  branched  out  for  himself  in  several  small  business  enterprises,  including 
a newspaper  route  of  the  Cincinnati  Gazette  and  Commercial,  then  separate  papers,  thus 
contributing  to  the  support  of  the  family. 

In  1873,  the  family  removed  to  Ihoche,  Nevada,  then  a flourishing  mining  camp, 
where  Rolla  obtained  employment  as  a drug  clerk.  About  three  years  later  he 
abandoned  the  mortar  and  pestle  and  moved  with  the  family  to  California,  arriving  in 
San  Erancisco  m April,  1876.  In  that  city  Mr.  Watt  was  engaged  in  the  book  and 
stationery  business  until  July,  1882,  when  he  left  a position  where  he  was  receiving 
$80  a month  salary  to  accept  $50  a month  in  the  insurance  business  with  Smith  & 
Snow,  at  that  time  representing  the  “American  Central,”  “Amazon,”  “Metropole” 
and  “Manhattan”  insurance  companies.  In  the  live  years  following,  several  changes 
took  place  in  the  companies  represented  by  the  firm,  and  in  1887  Mr.  WMtt  succeeded 
to  the  General  Agenc}’,  the  companies  then  being  the  “x\merican  Central,”  “Amazon" 
and  “Pacific." 

T'he  “Liberty”  entered  the  agency  in  the  fall  of  1887.  but  reinsured  in  1891,  the 
Delaware  of  Philadelphia  taking  its  place  in  the  office.  During  five  years  the  general 
agency  business  in  his  office  doubled,  with  a loss  ratio  considerably  below  the  average 
of  all  conqianies  doing  liusiness  on  the  coast.  In  iMarch,  1894.  Mhitt  was  appointed 
M anager  of  the  Pacific  Dejiartment  of  the  Royal  Insurance  Company  of  Liverpool  and 


814 


THE  UNDER  W RITE  R. 


the  Norwich  Union  Fire  Insurance  Society  of  Norwich,  England.  The  Royal  desiring 
to  concentrate  its  interests  on  the  Coast,  Mr.  Watt  relincjuished  the  management  of  the 
Norwich  Union  Fire  Insurance  Society  on  December  31,  1895,  assumed  the 

management  of  the  Queen  Insurance  Company  of  America  jointly  with  that  of  the 
Royal,  for  the  Pacific  Coast  States  and  Territories,  thus  making  the  strongest  combi- 
nation, insurance-wise,  operating  on  the  Coast. 

Mr.  Watt  has  been  more  or  less  interested  in  public,  benevolent  and  religious 
enterprises,  including  the  general  relief  movement  of  the  winter  of  1893  1894: 

the  Young  Men’s  Christian  Association,  of  which  he  is  Vice-President:  the  Christian 

Endeavor  movement,  with  which  he  has  been  offcially  connected;  the  University  of 
the  Pacific,  of  which  he  is  trustee,  and  Central  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  which 
he  is  also  a trustee  and  Superintendent  of  its  Sunday  School.  lie  has  been  a member 
of  the  Methodist  Church  since  early  boyhood,  hlis  political  affiliations  are  Republican. 
In  the  year  1883  Mr.  Watt  was  married  to  Miss  Jessie  Shirlaw  Mackay,  a native  of 
New  York  City.  Mr.  Watt  has  served  as  member  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the 
Pacific  Insurance  Union;  Ih'esident  of  the  Fire  Underwriters’  Association  of  the  Pacific, 
and  officially  with  insurance  organizations. 


THE  ROYAL  EXCHANGE  ASSURANCE. 


'Phis  old  and  solid  company  was  incorporated  by  Royal  Charter  in  the  year  1720, 
but  the  two  corporations  which  finally  united  under  a new  name,  and  subsequently,  as 
the  Royal  Exchange  Assurance,  petitioned  for  a Royal  Charter,  began  as  far  back  as 
1564,  when  letters-patent  were  granted  to  the  Mines  Royal  Company.  PMur  years  later 
this  corporation  and  the  Society  of  Mineral  and  Battery  Works  were  duly  chartered. 
In  1714  these  corporations  amalgamated  under  the  title  Mines  Royal,  Mineral  and 
Battery  Works. 

The  amalgamated  corporation  began  the  writing  of  marine  risks,  and  aroused  the 
jiowerful  opposition  of  the  numerous  individual  marine  underwriters  by  petitioning  for  a 
Royal  Charter  in  1716.  The  same  year  the  Mercer's  Plall  Marine  Society  also  peti- 
tioned for  a charter.  It  was  doubtful  whether  more  than  one  petitioner  could  obtain 
a charter,  and  the  two  petitioners  united  as  one  corporation,  under  the  name  of  the 
Ro)'al  Exchange  Assurance.  In  June,  1720,  the  Royal  Exchange  was  granted  its  first 
charter  for  the  transaction  of  a marine  business,  and  in  the  following  year  a supple- 
mental charter  was  granted,  authorizing  the  company  to  carry  on  both  a fire  and  life 
insurance  business,  and  to  raise,  in  addition  to  the  original  $7,500,000  capital  stock, 
$2,500,000  separate  capital. 

The  charter  was  granted  under  an  Act  of  IMrliament  in  the  sixth  year  of  the 
“Reign”  of  George  I entitled  “An  act  for  better  securing  of  certain  powers  and  privi- 
leges,” to  be  granted  under  two  charters  to  two  companies,  and  for  restraining  gambling 
insurances,  for  which  the  times  were  noted.  These  charters,  one  tt)  the  Roval  Exchange, 
granted  a monopoly  of  the  marine  businesxs  as  against  all  other  companies,  but  did  not 
restrict  the  rights  of  individual  underwriters.  Eor  this  monopoly  the  Royal  Exchange 
covenanted  to  pay  in  installments  $1,500,000  to  his  Majesty,  for  the  discharge  of  “the 
debts  and  expenses  of  our  civil  government.” 

Altogether  $750,000  of  the  covenanted  $1,500,000  was  paid  for  the  Royal  Charter, 
but  the  company  had  invested  so  heavily  in  South  Sea  stock  that,  on  the  bursting  of 
that  famous  bubble,  three  months  after  the  charter  was  received,  it  was  found  impossible 
to  meet  the  further  obligations  to  the  government.  By  an  Act  of  Parliament  the  com- 
pany was  released  from  further  payment,  for,  as  two  members  of  the  house  remarked, 
“the  government  has  scpieezed  out  of  the  company  as  much  as  they  could  in  con- 
science expect.” 

The  annual  statement  of  this  company  for  1895  shows  the  possession  of  over 
$22,000,000  well  invested  assets.  One-half  of  this  is  invested  in  first-class  stocks  and 
bonds,  and  over  nine  .million  is  in  loans  secured  Iiy  pledge  of  similar  securities.  The 
total  liabilities  deducted  from  the  assets  leave  a policy-holders’  surplus  of  about  sio, - 
000,000,  and  a net  surplus  over  capital  and  liabilities  of  about  $6,000,000. 

On  May  20,  1891,  the  Royal  Exchange  entered  the  United  States,  establishing  a 
branch  in  this  country,  appointing  as  Trustees  Rbsewell  Graves  Rolston  and  Charles 
Eerdinand  Hoff  man,  of  New  York,  and  as  Manager,  Robert  Dickson,  of  San  Erancisco.  In 
the  same  year  a deposit  of  $200,000  was  made  with  Insurance  Department  of  IMassa- 
chusetts  and  a deposit  of  $50,000  with  the  State  Treasurer  of  Oregon. 

The  Royal  Exchange  is  very  conservative — ambitious  for  c|uality  rather  than  volume 
of  business,  and  is  slowly  extending  its  operations  throughout  this  country. 


;u5 


ROBERT  DICKSON 


GENERAL  MANAGER  FOR  'HIE  UNITED  STATES  OF  THE  ROYAL  EXCHANGE  ASSURANCE. 

Scotland  has  supplied  the  United  States  the  material  out  of  which  many  of  her 
useful  and  jiromiucnt  men  have  been  developed.  The  sturdy  characteristics  which  have 
made  the  people  of  that  country  so  noted,  and  which  have  brought  them  to  the  front 
so  rapidly,  are  distinctly  traced  in  the  career  of  Robert  Dickson,  General  Manager  for 
the  United  States  of  the  Royal  Exchange  Assurance.  He  was  born  in  Lanarkshire, 
Scotland,  June  lo,  1845,  and  was  educated  in  the  h'rce  Church  Grammar  School  of 
Campbelton,  that  country.  When  but  fourteen  years  old  he  laid  aside  his  books,  and 
subseciuently  spent  seven  years  in  a banking  house  and  in  the  merchandising  business 
in  Campbelton. 

A desire  to  try  his  fortune  in  the  new  world  induced  him  to  leave  home  and 
friends,  and  in  1866  he  sailed  for  America.  The  same  year  he  located  in  San  Erancisco, 
California,  and  here  began  his  career  in  the  insurance  business,  entering  the  commission 
and  insurance  office  of  Cross  & Company,  where  he  remained  for  eleven  years,  during 
hve  years  of  which  time  he  was  in  charge  of  the  business  of  the  London  Assurance, 
for  which  Cross  & Company  were  General  Agents. 

In  the  year  1877  Mr.  Dickson  became  associated  with  H.  B.  M.  Consul,  William 
Lane  Booker,  in  the  management  of  the  Imjierial,  Northern  and  Queen  Insurance 
companies,  which  were  operating  jointly  on  the  Coast,  and  which  were  reinforced  the 
following  year  by  the  addition  of  the  London  Assurance.  In  1883  he  became  sole 
Manager  of  the  four  companies,  owing  to  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Booker  as  Consul- 
General  and  his  removal  to  New  York.  Three  years  later  the  Imperial  withdrew  from 
the  association,  and  the  Connecticut  of  Hartford  took  its  place.  In  the  year  1891 
IMr.  Dickson  resigned  the  London  and  Northern  and  received  the  appointment  of  General 
Manager  for  the  United  States  of  the  Royal  Exchange  xYssurance. 

Since  his  residence  in  San  Erancisco  Mr.  Dickson  has  identified  himself  with  a 
number  of  its  important  institutions  and  interests.  He  is  a Director  and  Trustee  of  the 
San  Erancisco  Theological  Seminary,  and  Director  of  the  Eirst  Presbyterian  Church  of 
the  city.  IMr.  Dickson’s  mental  eijuipoise  and  sound  judgment  have  placed  him  in  an 
enviable  position,  a position  he  discharges  the  duties  of  in  a most  satisfactory  manner. 
Conforming  himself  to  principles  of  the  strictest  integrity  and  the  most  honorable 
dealings,  he  expects  the  same  from  those  with  whom  he  associates  or  has  business 
relations. 


LION  FIRE  INSURANCE  COMIWNY  OF  LONDON,  ENGLxYND. 

It  has  been  said,  and  no  doubt  truly,  that  “perseverance  will  conquer  all  things,” 
and  if  tliis  (piality  is  coupled  with  energy  and  ambition,  success  is  still  more  certain. 
The  management  of  the  affairs  of  the  Lion  Eire  Insurance  Company  of  London,  in  this 
country,  has  been  in  capable  hands  and  its  success  has  been  assured  from  the  start,  for 
its  managers  are  men  of  push  and  enterprise.  This  company,  which  is  limited,  was 
organized  in  1879,  and  began  business  in  the  United  States  in  1880  in  connection  with 
the  Scottish  Union  and  National  under  the  management  of  Martin  Bennett,  who 
resio-ned  the  jiresidency  of  the  Connecticut  to  accept  the  jiosition,  taking  with  him  as 
.Assistant  Manager  the  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Connecticut,  Mr.  James  II.  Brewster. 
Since  that  time  the  management  of  the  Lion  Eire  has  been  in  their  hands.  Its  Pacific 

;nti 


'F  H E U N D E R W RITE  R. 


:I1S 


Coast  Manager  is  W.  J.  Landers.  Since  its  admission  it  has  received  in  premiums  in 
this  country  $6,800,165,  and  has  paid  in  losses  $4,207,196.  This  company  has  become 
one  of  the  best  known  in  the  United  States,  is  established  on  a sound  financial  basis, 
is  just  and  upright  in  its  dealings  with  its  patrons,  and  is  hedged  about  by  safeguards 
which  have  commanded  public  confidence. 


THE  SCOTTISH  UNION  AND  NATIONAL  FIRE  INSURANCE  COMPANY 

OE  EDINBURGH,  SCOTLAND. 

Of  the  many  strong  Scottish  insurance  companies,  the  Scottish  Union  and 
National  of  Edinburgh  is  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  one  of  the  oldest,  having 
been  founded  in  the  year  1824.  It  has  made  an  excellent  record  in  the  stability  of  its 
management,  a record  that  speaks  volumes  for  that  management,  and  its  prosperit}-  is 
aided  very  materially  by  the  success  achieved  by  its  branch  office  in  America. 

'The  Manager  of  this  substantial  organization  at  the  Edinburgh  office  is  A.  Duncan, 
and  the  Secretary  is  J.  K.  Macdonald.  It  commenced  business  in  the  United  States 
in  1880,  but  only  carries  on  fire  insurance  here.  In  Great  Britain  it  also  insures  lives 
and  grants  annuities.  Its  assets  in  the  United  States  are  $3,323,521;  its  liabilities, 
$1,451,024.  The  premiums  received  in  the  Lbiited  States  up  to  December  31,  1895, 
were  $10,224,776,  and  the  losses  paid  were  $5,623,534. 

The  United  States  Trustees  are  Messrs.  Alexander  Taylor,  New  York;  Henry  C. 
Robinson  and  John  R.  Redfield,  Hartford.  The  American  representatives  of  the 
company  are  M.  Bennett,  Manager;  James  H.  Brewster,  Assistant  Manager,  and 
W.  J.  Callingham,  Manager  Ikicific  Coast  Department,  all  able  and  experienced  men 
in  insurance  circles.  While  there  are  a few  older  companies,  both  British  and  Amer- 
ican, and  while  some  of  them  are  larger  as  regards  resources,  there  are  none  better 
and  stronger  than  the  Scottish  Union  and  National.  Its  managers  in  this  country  have 
conducted  its  affairs  in  a manner  to  call  for  general  commendation.  The  West  has 
continuously  yielded  excellent  returns  on  the  business  transacted,  and  the  progress 
made  by  this  company  since  its  advent  in  this  country  is  battering  indeed. 


MARTIN  BENNETT 

UNITED  STATES  MANAGER  OE  THE  LION  EIRE  OE  LONDON  AND  THE  SCOTITSII  UNION  AND 
NATIONAL  INSURANCE  COMPANY  OF  EDINIIURGII. 

It  is  readily  acknowledged  by  all  thinking  people  the  world  over  that  fire  has 
caused  more  damage  to  property  than  almost  any  other  one  element.  There  is  hardl}' 
a large  city  in  the  world  to-day  over  which  the  devastating  fire-fiend  has  not  swejM 
with  greater  or  less  loss  to  pro}-)erty,  and  to  provide  against  this  contingency  has  been 
the  business  of  fire  insurance,  and  one  that  has  been  popular  and  met  with  high 
approval  from  its  origin.  One  of  the  foremost  hre  underwriters  of  the  present  day  is 
Martin  Bennett,  who  was  born  in  Bristol,  Rhode  Island,  and  graduated  from  Brown 
Univcrsitv,  which  institution  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts  and  Ci^■il 
Emdneer  in  i860.  Soon  after  graduation  he  entered  the  service  of  the  Connecticut 


320 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


Fire  Insurance  Company  of  Hartford  as  General  Agent,  later  became  Secretary,  and 
in  1872  President,  in  which  capacity  he  served  nine  years. 

In  1878  he  became  Secretary  of  the  National  Board  of  Underwriters,  was  for 
seven  years  a member  of  the  Executive  Committee,  and  in  1880  was  President  of  the 
National  Board.  He  was  for  seven  years  President  of  the  Hartford  Board  of  Under- 
writers, an  honorary  member  of  the  National  /Association  of  Chief  Engineers  of  the 
United  States,  and  for  a number  of  years  active  Chairman  of  the  New  England 
Provisional  Committee,  which  comprised  L.  J.  Hendee,  President  of  the  Hvtna;  Geo.  L. 
Chase.  President  of  the  Hartford  Fire;  Henry  Kellogg,  President  of  the  Phoenix:  Alark 
Howard,  I’resident  of  the  National;  L).  K.  Smith,  President  of  the  Springfield  Fire, 
and  others,  all  of  whom  are  now  dead  except  President  Chase.  This  committee  was 
an  adjunct  of  the  National  Board,  and  had  under  its  supervision  and  control  the  making 
of  rates,  formation  of  local  boards,  etc.,  in  Massachusetts,  Connecticut,  \Trmont,  New 
Hampshire,  Maine  and  Rhode  Island.  In  1879  Mr.  Bennett  delivered  the  annual 
address  before  the  National  /Association  of  Fire  Engineers,  in  1881  the  decennial  address 
before  the  Fire  Underwriters'  Association  of  the  South,  and  in  1884  the  fifteenth  annual 
address  before  the  Underwriters  of  the  Northwest  at  Chicago. 

He  is  a Director  of  the  National  Exchange  Bank  of  Hartford  and  of  the  Eirst 
National  Bank  of  Bristol,  Rhode  Island;  and  is  a member  of  Washington  Commandery 
of  Knights  Templar.  He  received  the  appointment  of  Resident  Alanager  of  the  two 
foreign  companies  mentioned  above,  for  the  United  States  and  Canada,  in  October,  1880, 
and  the  success  of  these  companies  under  his  management  is  well  known  to  under- 
writers. When  these  companies  commenced  business  in  Hartford,  neither  had  ever 
written  a policy  in  this  country.  January  i,  1881,  the  United  States  assets  of  the  Lion 
were  $375,754-  premium  receipts  for  the  year  1881,  $375,785:  total  income,  $392,825. 
To-day,  having  remitted  to  the  head  office  the  sum  of  $318,007,  the  Lion  shows  assets 
of  $866,723,  with  an  annual  income  of  $566,668.  The  assets  of  the  Scottish  January 
I,  1881,  were  $487, 46 1 ; surplus  $454,567;  total  income  for  1881,  $450,105.  After  remit- 
ting to  the  head  office  $204,346,  the  Scottish  shows  cash  assets  $3,401,787,  with  a net 
surplus  of  $1,934,692,  with  a gross  annual  income  of  over  three  millions. 

Mr.  P>ennett  is  a man  of  pronounced  views  and  positive  likes  and  dislikes,  and, 
like  all  positive  characters,  has  a habit  of  being  one  thing  or  the  other  and  not  both. 
He  comes  of  Puritan  and  fighting  stock,  for  his  ancestors  came  to  this  country  on  the 
good  ship  “Mayflower”  and  his  paternal  grandfather  was  a Revolutionary  soldier  at  the 
age  of  seventeen.  His  great-grandfather  wxas  Master  in  the  United  States  Navy  during 
a large  part  of  his  life,  served  on  the  “Constitution”  and  “Hornet”  during  the  War  of 
1812,  and  took  the  latter  ship  through  the  entire  British  fleet.  He  is  seventh  in  line 
of  direct  descent  from  Colonel  Benjamin  Church,  the  noted  Indian  fighter,  whose  father, 
Richard  Church,  married  a daughter  of  Richard  Warren,  who  also  came  to  this  country 
on  the  “Mayflower.”  To  the  success  of  the  Scottish  Union  and  National  and  the  Lion 
he  has  devoted  his  whole  attention  and  best  efforts  and  the  natural  sequence  has  been 
])ronounced  success. 


I 


JAMIES  H.  l^RKWSTER 


y\SSISl'AXT  UXITKI)  STATKS  MAXACIKR  OF  TIIF.  FIOX  FIKK  OF  I.OXKOX  AXI)  THF  SCOTTISH 
rXIOX  AXI)  XATIOXAl,  INSL'RAXCE  COMPAXV  OF  K I ) IXB  URC.I  I . 

Few  men  engaged  in  the  lire  insurance  business  have  a higher  standing  for 
character,  ability  and  enterprise  than  the  one  represented  by  the  name  that  heads  this 
sketch.  For  nearly  thirty  years  James  M.  Brewster,  Assistant  United  States  Manager 
of  the  Lion  Fire  fnsurance  Company  of  London  and  the  Scottish  Union  and  National 
Insurance  Company  of  Fdinburgh,  has  been  actively  engaged  in  this  branch  of  human 
endeavor  and  the  record  he  has  made  in  that  capacity  is  an  enviable  one,  showing 
what  pluck,  jierseverance  and  sound  judgment  will  accomplish.  He  is  a man  of  unusual 
business  acumen,  untiring  energy  and  unswerving  integrity. 

Mr.  R.  rewster  is  one  of  the  native  sons  of  Connecticut — and  was  born  in  Coventry, 
December  24,  1845.  Having  secured  a thorough  education  he  removed  to  Hartford  in 
1865  and  engaged  cjuite  actively  in  merchandising,  which  he  continued  until  the  25th 
of  February,  1867,  when  he  entered  the  Connecticut  Fire  Insurance  Company's  office. 
Since  that  time  his  life  has  been  given  almost  entirely  to  the  hre  insurance  business. 
On  the  ist  of  July,  1874,  he  was  ajipointed  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Connecticut  Fire 
and  discharged  the  duties  of  that  position  in  a very  able  and  satisfactory  manner 
until  November  1,  1880,  when  he  resigned  that  ■ position  to  accept  the  one  he  now  fills. 

Socially  Mr.  Brewster  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  but  belongs  to  no 
other  secret  organization.  His  religious  training  was  on  the  line  of  Congregational 
orthodoxy,  and  the  views  so  deeply  instilled  remain.  In  politics  he  has  always  been 
connected  with  the  Republican  jiarty.  Mr.  Brewster  was  married  in  1879,  and  his 
family  consists  of  his  wife  and  one  child,  a son.  His  travels  have  been  chiefly  limited 
to  the  United  States  and  Canada,  every  part  of  which  he  has  frequently  visited  in 
connection  with  the  business  of  the  companies. 


THF  UNION  ASSURANCF  SOCIETY  OF  LONDON. 

The  Union  Assurance  Society  of  London,  England,  was  established  in  the 
reign  of  Oueen  Anne,  i\.  1).,  1714,  and  is  consecjuently  the  third  oldest  fire 
insurance  comjxiny  in  the  world.  It  stands  deservedly  high  both  at  home  and  abroad, 
alike  because  of  its  financial  solidity  and  its  integrity  of  management.  Its  broad  views 
as  to  all  commercial  cjiiestions,  its  liberal  dealings  with  those  who  have  business  rela- 
tions with  it,  together  with  its  fair  adjustments  and  jirompt  payment  of  losses,  have 
made  it  what  is  known  in  business  as  “a  very  popular  company” — strong,  liberal  and 
prompt.  It  has  a record  of  nearly  two  centuries  to  which  it  is  able  to  point  with 
gratification  and  pride. 

d'his  Society  was  originally  a fire  insurance  office,  but  at  the  close  of  its  first  cen- 
turv  it  established  a life  department,  and  has  since  conducted  both.  It  was  first  known 
as  the  “llnion,  or  Double  1 land-in-lland  I'ire  Office,”  and  was  formed  as  a comjianion 
company  to  the  “Hand-in-I land”  still  in  existence,  the  only  difference  between  them 
beiiH’’  that  the  “Union”  insured  goods  and  merchandise  b}'  mutual  contributions  of  its 
members,  whereas  the  “ I land-in-I  land  ” insured  buildings  only.  .Vt  that  time  the 
“Union’s”  business  was  confined  to  within  twent}'  miles  of  London  and  Westminster. 


r TIE  U N D E R W RITE  R. 


:i:»4 

and  a force  of  firemen  with  engines  were  employed  to  protect  burning  property  insured 
in  the  “Society.” 

In  icSos,  A.  1).,  a reorganization  was  efiected,  and  no  longer  acting  in  conjunction 
with  the  “ Iland-in-Iland,  ” the  “Union’s"  members  created  a subscribed  capital  of 
300,000  pounds,  of  which  30,000  pounds  was  called  up,  since  which  time  no  call  has 
been  made  upon  the  shareholders,  but  a suljsequent  increase  of  paid-up  capital  to  180,- 
000  pounds  \vas  provided  out  of  the  profits.  From  its  ince}Rion  the  “Union”  has  been 
known  as  one  of  the  strongest,  most  reliable  and  most  liberal  of  the  great  foreign  com- 
]xinies,  and  the  continued  success  it  has  met  is  due  to  conservative  principles  and 
business-like  methods.  Unlike  many  of  its  comj^etitors,  it  is  a company  which,  after 
carefulh'  considering  its  policy,  establishes  itself  by  adherence  to  its  principles,  and  it 
has  always  been  known  as  a company  which  does  not  suddenlv  deviate  from  its  course 
or  alter  its  policy  when  it  has  once  determined  upon  a plan  of  action. 

In  May,  1889,  the  Union  began  business  in  the  Pacihc  Coast  States,  and  in  Feb- 
ruaiy,  1891,  was  admitted  to  New  York.  The  United  States  Managers  are  iMessrs. 
Ilenry  II.  Hall,  William  H.  Ilenshaw  and  Edward  K.  Beddall,  and  the  head  office  in 
this  country  is  in  New  York  City,  54  William  Street.  The  W’estern  Department,  under 
the  management  of  Messrs,  (foodwin,  Hall  & Ilenshaw,  is  at  No.  171  LaSalle  Street, 
Chicago.  Mr.  Warren  F.  Goodwin,  formerly  Western  Manager  of  the  Northern,  has 
charge  of  this  held. 

The  Actuary  or  Life  Manager  of  this  company  is  William  Wallis;  its  Fire  Man- 
ager, William  George  Wilkins;  Secretary,  Charles  Darrell.  The  paid-up  capital  is  5900,- 
000,  and  its  United  States  assets  show  $ i , 1 73,04 1 . 75,  with  a surplus  over  all  liabilities 
of  $522,675.77,  which  is  invested  in  the  choicest  securities.  The  Ihiited  States  Trustees 
are;  Messrs.  Whlliam  11.  Wallace,  Joseph  A.  Minott  and  Treadwell  Cleveland,  in  whose 
hands  are  held  assets  amounting  to  $575, 7(58. 50,  to  be  applied  only  to  the  discharge  of 
its  obligations. 

HALL  A HFNSHAW,  NEW  YORK. 

Th.e  agency  of  Hall  A Ilenshaw,  in  New  h’ork,  was  established  September  1, 
1889.  The  members  of  the  firm  consist  of  Mr.  Henry  II.  Hall,  who  has  been  engaged 
in  fire  insurance  business  since  l)oyhood.  He  commenced  business  in  the  insurance 
agency  of  j.  F.  Dobson  in  Boston  in  i86r.  In  1868  was  made  Secretary  of  the 
National  b'ire  Insurance  Company  of  New  York;  in  1882  was  made  iManager  of  the 
Northern  Assurance  Company  of  London.  Mr.  Ilenshaw  has  also  been  engaged  in  the 
fire  insurance  Imsiness  since  Ijoyhood,  being  successive!}^  connected  with  the  Long  Island 
Insurance  Company,  the  London  and  Lancashire  Insurance  Cc^mpany,  and  the  Northern 
Assurance  C'ompany  of  London. 

As  local  agents  the  al)ove  firm  represent  the  following  companies  in  the  City  of 
New'  ^h)rk•: 

WT'stchester  of  New'  \'ork;  Traoisatlantic  of  Germany;  Equitable  of  Providence; 
Merchants’  of  Pro\'idence;  .Manchester  of  England;  .\merican  of  Boston;  Mercantile  of 
Boston;  .Atlanta  Home  of  Atlanta;  Delaware  of  Philadelphia;  .Atlas  Assurance  Compau}' 
of  London;  German-.American  Insurance;  Company  of  Baltimore. 

d'hev  also  ha\e  in  c--nnection  with  their  local  agenev  a strong  combination  of 
English  and  European  com[vinies  for  the  transaction  of  licensed  brokerage  business. 


J 


/ 


/ 


< V.  /»  ^ 


82(5 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


Associated  with  Messrs.  Hall  tV  Ilenshaw  as  Managers  ot  the  Union  Assurance 
Society  is  Mr.  Edward  K.  Heddall,  who  has  been  connected  with  the  fire  insurance 
l)usiness  since  boyhood,  having  been  connected  successively  with  the  Liverpool  and 
I.ondon  and  Globe  Insurance  Company  and  the  Insurance  Company  of  North  America. 

In  addition  to  being  local  agents  of  a large  number  of  fire  insurance  companies, 
and  United  States  IManagers  of  the  Union  Assurance  Society  of  London,  the  \hctoria 
Lire  Insurance  Company  of  the  City  of  New  York  is  managed  by  this  firm.  Mr.  Hall 
is  President  of  the  company,  Mr.  Ilenshaw  \hce-President  and  Mr.  Beddall,  Secretary. 

Messrs.  Hall  & Ilenshaw,  in  connection  with  their  large  local  and  general  agency 
interests,  also  transact  a large  business  in  South  and  Central  America,  and  altogether 
the  aggregation  of  capital  represented  by  this  hrm  in  the  City  of  New  York  and  the 
amount  of  insurance  carried  by  them  on  a single  risk  are  probably  greater  than  that 
represented  by  any  agency  in  the  United  States. 

GOODWIN,  HALL  & HENSHAW^  CHICAGO. 

The  hrm  of  Goodwin,  Hall  A Ilenshaw,  consisting  of  Warren  L.  Goodwin,  of 
Chicago,  and  Messrs.  Hall  & Ilenshaw,  of  New  York,  was  established  in  Chicago  on 
May  I,  I Spy.  Mr.  Goodwin  entered  the  New  York  office  of  the  London  Assurance 
Corporation  in  Lebruary,  1873,  and  remained  with  that  company  as  clerk  and  Special 
Agent  until  October,  1882,  when  he  was  appointed  Chief  Clerk  of  the  Agency  Depart- 
ment of  the  New  York  office  of  the  Northern  Assurance  Company.  On  January  i, 
1887,  he  was  made  Manager  of  the  Central  Department  of  the  Northern  Assurance 
Company,  with  offices  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  On  July  i,  1893,  the  Central  and  North- 
western departments  of  the  Northern  Assurance  Company  were  consolidated  into  one 
Western  Department,  with  offices  at  Chicago,  and  Mr.  Goodwin  was  made  joint 
Manager  with  Mr.  W.  D.  Crooke.  This  position  Mr.  Goodwin  held  until  his  resigna- 
tion to  form  the  above-named  hrm. 

Probably  the  best  way  to  describe  the  extensive  business  of  the  hrm  of  Goodwin, 
Hall  and  Ilenshaw  is  by  departments,  as  the  business  is  conducted  as  follows: 

Genf.rai.  Ac.kxcv  Dkp.vrtmkxt. — The  hrm  are  Managers  of  the  MTstern  depart- 
ments of  the  Union  Assurance  Society  of  London  and  the  \hctoria  Lire  Insurance 
Company  of  New  York,  and  are  also  WTstern  General  Agents  of  the  \hrginia  Lire  and 
Marine  Insurance  Company  of  Richmond,  Virginia,  and  the  Citizens’  Insurance  Com- 
pany of  New  h ork. 

CincAcR)  Local  DF.i>AR'r.\iKXT. — As  Local  Agents,  the  hrm  represent  the  Union 
Assurance  Society  of  London;  the  Grand  Rapids  Lire  Insurance  Company  of  Grand 
Rajiids;  the  \hrginia  I'ire  and  Marine  Insurance  Company  of  Richmond;  the  Commer- 
cial Insurance  Company  of  Cincinnati;  the  Commercial  Ibiion  Assurance  Company  of 
London;  the  Norwood  Insurance  Company  of  New  York,  and  the  Victoria  Lire 
Insurance  Company  of  New  h'ork,  having  for  all  of  their  companies,  except  the  Commer- 
cial Union,  entire  jurisdiction  over  all  Cook  County  business. 

Hrokfraof  Dfpar'i'.mfxi’. — b'or  the  handling  of  large  lines  of  insurance  on  risks 
anywhere  in  the  West  the  hrm  have  exceptional  facilities.  In  addition  to  all  of  the 
ordinary  brokerage  arrangements,  the  hrm  act  as  correspondents  for  a number  of  hrst- 
class  stock  companies  doing  no  agency  business,  and  have  all  of  the  advantages  of  the 
foreign  connections  of  Messrs.  Hall  A Ilenshaw  of  New  York. 


t 


I*  IRE  ANT)  A1  A R I N E. 


>52U 

HuRdi.ARV  IxsLRAXCK  Dki’ar T.MKXT. — This  line  of  insurance,  new  to  the  United 
States,  has  been  introduced  in  the  W'est  by  the  firm,  who  represent  as  Western  (ireneral 
Agents  the  New  England  Burglary  Insurance  Company  of  Boston,  Mass.  This  form 
of  indemnity  and  protection  apj')ears  to  have  caught  the  favor  of  the  j^ublic  at  once, 
and  a large  business  is  being  rapidly  built  uj:)  by  the  firm. 

To  sum  the  whole  up,  the  firm  of  Goodwin,  Hall  & Henshaw  j)ride  themselves 
upon  being  able  to  handle  any  legitimate  line  of  insurance,  however  large,  and  wherever 
located  in  the  West,  and  undoubtedly  have  the  most  exceptional  facilities  for  doing  so. 


MASSACHUSETTS  MUTUAE  EIRE  INSURANCE  UNION. 

'I'his  organization  is  composed  of  the  mutual  fire  insurance  comjianies  chartered 
in  this  State  and  doing  a general  business  in  New  Itngland. 

There  are  in  Massachusetts  filty-two  regular  mutual  fire  insurance  companies  doing 
business;  of  these,  eight  are  mill  mutuals,  transacting  a business  almost  exclusively 
among  themselves,  and  insuring  nothing  but  mill  property  and  such  as  would  come 
under  their  specially  protected  risks.  There  are  ten  conp'tanies,  with  small  suigdus, 
formed  and  carried  on  in  small  towns  simply  to  protect  the  in'opert}’  in  those  localities 
and  towns  in  their  vicinity,  d'he  others,  thirty-two  in  number,  compose  the  alutual 
b'ire  Insurance  Union,  and  are  active  in  its  support. 

The  great  Boston  fire  of  i(S72  affected  all  insurance  companies,  the  mutual 
companies  as  well  as  stock  companies  losing  heavily.  This  caused  two  of  the  mutual 
companies  to  wind  up  (paying  83  j'ler  cent)  and  three  to  make  an  assessment  in  order 
to  continue  business  and  pay  their  losses  in  full;  at  the  same  time  several  stock 
companies  had  to  wind  up,  only  jiaying  from  25  to  40  per  cent  of  their  losses. 

In  the  spring  of  1879  the  managers  of  two  or  three  of  the  comjianies  conceived 
the  idea  of  forming  an  organization  that  should  bring  together  all  the  mutual  comjianies 
for  the  purposes,  as  stated  in  the  preamble, 

“Of  considering  all  matters  affecting  mutual  companies  and  adopting  such  measures 
as  will  work  for  the  benefit  of  that  system  of  insurance. 

“Eor  social  and  fraternal  purposes,  to  the  end  that  peace,  harmony  and  good 
fellowship  may  hereafter  reign.” 

Messrs.  E.  M.  Tucke  of  the  Traders’  and  Mechanics’,  Charles  z\.  Howland  of  the 
Ouincy  Mutual,  and  Alfred  E.  Ifarbour  of  the  Cambridge  Mutual,  met  and  issued  a 
circular  inviting  all  the  mutual  companies  to  send  representatives  to  a conference  to 
be  held  at  Boston  in  July,  1879. 

This  conference  was  attended  by  the  representatives  of  sixteen  companies.  I'ifteen 
of  the  companies  signed  the  agreement  to  form  such  an  organization;  and  at  a meeting- 
held  September  10.  1879,  a constitution  and  by-laws  were  adoiited,  and  the  Massachu- 
setts Mutual  I'ire  Insurance  llnion  was  launched  forth  with  the  followiim-  officers;  E.  B. 

O 

Stoddard  of  the  Merchants'  and  b'armers'  of  Worcester,  as  President;  Charles  B.  Cum- 
mings of  the  Massachusetts  Mutual  and  George  B.  Eaunce  of  the  Dedham  Mutual,  as 
\'ice- Presidents,  and  Alfred  E.  Barbour  of  the  Cambridge  Mutual,  as  Secretarx'  and 
Treasurer.  Meetings  were  to  be  held  cjuarterly  or  at  the  call  of  the  President. 

Successive  meetings  proved  so  profitable  and  enjoyable  that  it  was  onlv  a few 
years  before  all  the  mutuals  doing  a large  business,  except  the  mill  mutuals  (who  had 


8:50 


T Pi  E U N D E R W R I T E R. 


an  organization  of  their  own),  were  enrolled  as  members  and  takdng  active  participation 
in  its  work,  all  personal  feeling  and  enmity  among  the  mutual  companies  began  to  melt 
as  dew  before  the  sun,  and  the  kindly  spirit  prevailed. 

Kates  began  to  be  made,  agreements  entered  into,  and  a more  systematic  method 
of  doing  business  adopted,  which  not  only  commended  itself  to  the  directors  but  to  the 
policy-holders  of  the  companies. 

The  social  features  of  the  Union  have  been  a large  factor  in  bringing  about  good 
feeling  and  coifperative  action.  At  all  the  meetings  a bancjuet  is  served,  and  many  are 
the  plans  that  are  made  there. 

About  ten  years  ago,  the  Secretary,  with  the  advice  of  the  biixecutive  Committee, 
inaugurated  what  is  known  as  the  “Autumnal  Outing  of  the  Union,”  or  “ Ladies’ Day, " 
occurring  once  a year.  The  Secretary  also  arranges  for  an  excursion,  usually  in  Sep- 
tember, generally  by  rail,  to  some  pleasure  resort  which  shall  not  take  more  than  two 
or  three  days,  at  which  the  members  invite  their  directors,  friends,  and  their  ladies  to 
accompan)'  them.  On  several  of  these  occasions  managers  of  the  stock  companies  and 
members  of  the  New  England  Insurance  Exchange  have  accepted  invitations  to  accom- 
pany us,  and  its  effect  has  been  to  draw  us  nearer  to  each  other  and  to  do  away  with 
the  enmity  that  previously  existed. 

The  growth  and  increase  of  the  business  of  the  Union  during  the  period  of  its 
existence  is  shown  by  the  following  figures.  In  1879  the  thirty  companies  composing 
the  Union  had; 


At  risk. 

Assets,  - - - - 

Liabilities  (re-insurance  fund). 
Income,  _ - _ - 

Premiums  received  annually,  about 
Dividends  paid. 

Losses  paid. 


1879 

$ 181,029,381 
4.5310863 

-M  43. 053 

1,257,  167 
1,014,  126 
468,  I 56 
384,885 


1896 

$46  1 , 268,000 
7,  164,250 
3,765,  180 
4,  3 56,000 
3.560,370 
2,  250,000 
950,000 


Amon”  some  of  the  measures  which  the  Pinion  has  been  instrumental  in  brin^incr 
about  has  been  the  adoption  of  a “standard  policy,”  causing  valued  policy  law  in 
Massachusetts  to  be  deferred,  creating  the  State  P^ire  Marshal  and  ferreting  out  several 
incendiaries. 

A few  years  ago  it  appearing  that  fires  were  becoming  more  frequent,  either  from 
carelessness  or  design  or  from  unfavorable  circumstances,  the  question  was  discussed  as 
to  what  could  be  done  to  prevent  such  heavy  losses  as  had  been  occurring.  As  it  was 
jilainly  seen  a good  many  agents  did  not  inspect  the  risks  or  clearly  represent  the 
hazard  in  or  around  the  risks  they  were  offering  the  companies,  it  was  evident  that  the 
companies,  for  sell-protection,  must  have  more  frequent  inspection.  Some  years  ago 
ten  of  the  largest  mutuals  inaugurated  a system  of  cobperative  inspection.  They  secured 
the  services  of  Mr.  Robert  A.  Barbour,  son  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Pbiion,  and  set 
him  at  work  taking  the  cities  and  large  towns,  and  making  a thorough  inspection  of 
the  risks  in  those  places,  for  the  companies  which  had  united  together  for  the  work. 
It  proved  to  be  an  exceedingly  wise  measure,  for  it  was  found  that  in  the  rear  yards 
or  areas  of  many  large  mercantile  buildings  heaps  of  rubbish,  straw,  old  jiaper,  etc., 
were  allowed  to  accumulate,  making  a dangerous  element  for  the  promotion  of  fires  in 
congested  districts.  Owners  and  tenants  were  notified  that  their  premises  must  be 


FIRE  AND  MARINE. 


cleaned  and  the  dangerous  elements  removed,  or  the  policies  would  be  canceled. 
Most  of  these  objectionable  features  were  removed,  yet  in  some  cases  obstinate  insurers 
and  offended  agents  prevented  the  eliminating  of  these  hazards.  This  insjoection  has 
proved  so  good,  and  by  cooperation  so  economical,  that  the  number  of  companies  in 
the  deal  has  increased  fom  ten  to  eighteen. 

A large  room  has  been  secured  for  the  weekdy  gatherings  of  the  Union  on  the  top 
floor  of  the  Codman  building,  27  Kilby  street,  Boston,  and  business  is  there  transacted 
every  Saturday.  Agents  and  managers  meet,  risks  are  bound,  and  large  lines  on 
buildings  are  taken  and  distributed  to  the  various  companies  by  Secretary  Barbour. 

The  Union,  during  its  fifteen  years  of  existence,  has  had  but  four  Presidents  and 
but  one  Secretary.  Hon.  E.  B.  Stoddard,  of  Worcester,  was  the  first  President,  and 
served  the  Union  faithfully  for  nine  years.  Col.  T.  II.  Johnson,  the  second  President 
of  the  Union,  was  reelected  for  three  consecutive  terms.  The  third  President,  Charles 
A.  Howland,  also  gave  three  years’  ser\ice  to  the  Union.  The  fourth  and  present 
President  is  Roger  F.  Upham,  the  Secretary  and  Treasurer  of  the  Worcester  Mutual, 
one  of  the  largest  companies  of  the  Union.  Mr.  Alfred  L.  Barbour,  the  present  Sec- 
retary and  Treasurer,  has  held  the  office  and  performed  the  duties  since  the  inception 
of  the  Union. 

The  Massachusetts  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Union  is  supposed  to  be  the  oldest 
organization  of  mutual  fire  insurance  companies  in  the  United  States.  Several  have 
been  formed  since  then,  and  have  received  valuable  aid  and  cooperation  from  the 
parent  organization.  The  Union  has  accomplished  so  much  good  that  its  jierpetuation 
is  an  assured  fact. 

The  companies  composing  the  Union  are  the  Abington,  the  Barnstable  County,  the 
Berkshire,  the  Cambridge,  the  Citizens’,  the  Dedham,  the  Dorchester,  the  Fitchburg,  the 
bfi-anklin,  the  Hampshire,  the  Hingham,  the  Holyoke,  the  Fowell,  the  Fynn,  the 
Massachusetts,  the  Merchants’  and  Farmers’,  the  Merrimac,  the  Middlesex,  the  Mutual 
Protection,  the  Norfolk,  the  Quincy,  the  Traders’  and  Mechanics’,  the  W’achusett,  and 
the  Worcester.  The  Attleborough,  Bristol  County,  Mutual  Fire  Assurance,  Saugus  and 
the  South  Danvers  belong  to  the  Union,  but  do  principally  a local  business. 


THE  CAMBRIDGE  MUTUAF  FIRE  INSURANCE  COMPANY. 

Insurance  companies  always  take  a prominent  place  as  institutions  beneficent, 
practical  and  indispensable  to  the  present  state  of  civilization.  The  Cambridge  Mutual 
Fire  Insurance  Company  is  one  of  the  oldest  of  its  kind  in  New  England  and  one  of 
the  most  substantial.  It  was  organized  in  1833  by  the  people  for  mutual  protection 
when  there  was  but  little  opportunity  for  indemnity  against  loss  by  fire.  A few  promi- 
nent men  of  Cambridge  formed  an  association  and  agreed  to  protect  and  indemnify  each 
other  in  case  of  loss  by  fire.  The  first  means  they  took  for  their  protection  was  to 
form  themselves  into  a bucket  brigade  and  be  present  at  every  fire,  to  aid  in  its  extin- 
guishment, take  care  of  the  personal  property,  and  thereafter  to  pay  whatever  loss  was 
sustained.  It  was  originally  intended  only  as  a local  company,  but  the  beneficial  results 
were  so  apparent  that  its  extension  was  called  for  in  other  places  and  it  began  to 
increase  its  usefulness. 

During  a period  of  three  years,  from  1841  to  1844,  so  extensive  were  the  confla- 


THE  UNDERWRITE  R. 


grations  that  it  had  hard  work  to  survive,  l)ut  the  directors,  by  personal  indorsements 
of  tlie  company's  notes,  carried  the  association  on  and  over  the  emergency  to  success, 
until  now  it  stands  high  in  the  conhdence  of  the  jniblic,  and  has  a reserve  fund  of 
nearly  a (juarter  of  a million  dollars.  It  has  paid  nearly  twenty  millions  in  losses,  over 
hve  millions  in  dividends  to  its  policy-holders,  and  owns  the  hne  stone  building  it 
occupies,  Itesides  having  a large  surplus. 


ALFRED  L.  BARBOl’R 

StX'RE'l'ARV  AND  TREASURER  OF  THE  CAMBRIDGE  MUTUAE  EIRE  IXSURANXE  COMPANV  OF 

CAMBRIDGE,  MASSAC  II  USETl'S. 

The  force  of  well-directed  energy,  steadfast  jnirpose  and  never-ceasing  effort  is 
strikingly  illustrated  in  the  life  of  Alfred  L.  Barliour,  who  holds  the  responsible  position, 
of  Secretary  and  Treasurer  of  the  Cambridge  Mutual  Fire,  and  M'ho  has  been  its  managing 
head  for  nearly  a quarter  of  a century.  In  1872,  when  he  first  took  charge  of  the  companv 
it  was  a small  local  organization  with  only  about  $50,000  assets  and  about  $35,000  liabili- 
ties, having  just  passed  through  the  disastrous  Boston  fire.  By  most  able  management  the 
companv  soon  grew  in  \vealth  and  influence,  until  it  now  has  nearly  $250,000  assets,  and 
one  of  the  finest  insurance  buildings  for  a home  office  outside  of  Boston. 

Mr.  Barbour  is  a native  of  Cambridge,  born  in  sight  of  the  splendid  office  he  now 
occupies,  in  April,  1837.  The  first  ten  years  of  his  life  was  a constant  struggle  against 
ill  health,  a fraiLconstitution  having  been  his  portion,  but  the  ceaseless  care  and  devotion 
of  his  mother  brought  him  through,  and  at  the  age  of  fifteen  he  had  passed  through  the 
schools  and  entered  the  high  school.  A year  and  a half  later  ill  health  obliged  him  to 
give  up  study  and  seek  restoration  on  a farm. 

change  of  climate  was  recommended  in  1865  and  he  went  to  Illinois,  where  he 
remained  with  his  family  for  nearly  four  years.  Soon  after  the  close  of  the  first  year 
in  the  West,  the  store  where  he  was  employed  was  burned  and  the  business  suffered  so 
greatly  that  he  gave  up  and  turned  his  attention  to  the  insurance  business  as  agent  for 
several  companies  and  an  adjuster  of  losses,  h'ollowing  this  Mr.  Barbour  engaged  in 
business  at  Peoria,  Illinois,  but  after  about  six  months  his  partner  defaulted,  ran  off 
with  the  funds,  and  he  was  left  without  means.  Not  at  all  discouraged,  Mr.  Barbour 
went  to  Pekin,  that  State,  and  took  charge  of  a large  clothing  and  boot  and  shoe  store, 
owned  by  Reuben  Bergstresser,  where  he  remained  until  i86g,  when  he  was  induced  to 
return  East  to  enter  the  United  States  revenue  service. 

lie  was  United  States  Assessor  for  Cambridge  and  afterward  Deputy  Collector  of 
Internal  Revenue,  wdiich  offices  he  held  until  1872,  when  he  was  persuaded  to  take  the 
secretaryship  of  the  Cambridge  iMutual  P'ire  Insurance  Company,  with  which  he  has 
remained  (although  urged  to  take  similar  positions  with  two  larger  companies)  up  to  the 
]iresent  time.  In  the  year  1879  Mr.  Barbour  began  to  realize  the  difficulties  under 
which  the  mutual  companies  of  Massachusetts  labored,  and,  being  antagonized  by  the 
stock  conqianies,  conceived  the  idea  of  forming  an  insurance  union  of  the  mutuals  that 
should  meet  and  resist  the  attacks  of  the  stock  companies. 

In  the  s})i‘ing  of  that  year  a few  of  the  managers  of  the  mutual  conqianies  were 
called  together,  and,  seeing  its  importance,  organized  the  Massachusetts  Mutual  Fire 
Insurance  Union.  Mr.  Barbour  was  made  its  Secretary,  a position  he  has  held  ever 


T H F.  UNDERWRITE  R. 


:U4 

since.  Although  busy  with  the  afiairs  of  the  Cambridge  iMutual,  Mr.  Barbour  has  time 
for  other  interests.  He  is  President  of  the  Columbian  Cobperative  Bank,  Trustee  of 
the  West  Newton  Savings  B>ank,  Director  in  the  First  National  Bank  of  West  Newton 
and  President  of  the  Northern  Mutual  Relief  Association.  He  is  a prominent  member 
of  the  Baptist  Church,  is  its  Clerk  and  Chairman  of  its  Finance  Committee,  and  also 
holds  many  important  positions  in  the  Baptist  denomination  of  the  State. 


HON.  AMASA  NORCROSS 

PRESIDENT  EPrCIIBURG  EIRE  INSURANCE  COMPANY. 

More  than  three-score  years  and  ten  have  passed  over  the  head  of  this  most 
worthy  citizen,  leaving  their  impress  in  the  w'hitened  hair  and  lined  face,  but  while  the 
outward  garments  of  the  soul  show  the  wear  and  tear  of  years,  the  man  himself  is  richer 
and  nobler  and  grander  for  the  experience  that  each  successive  decade  has  brought  him. 
In  almost  every  city  and  important  town  in  the  Plnited  States  the  sons  of  New  Hamp- 
shire are  found  among  the  foremost  in  every  profession  and  avocation.  In  the  thriving 
young  city  of  Fitchburg,  Massachusetts,  there  is  found  no  exception  to  the  rule.  Among 
New  Hampshire  men  living  and  laboring  there,  Hon.  Amasa  Norcross  takes  a prominent 
place. 

He  was  born  in  Rindge,  January  26,  1824,  and  is  a descendant  of  Jeremiah  Norcross, 
who  came  to  America  in  1642.  His  father,  Daniel  Norcross,  was  a thriving  New 

Hampshire  farmer,  and  his  mother,  Mary  (Jones)  Norcross,  was  also  a native  of  that 

State.  Amasa  Norcross  received  excellent  educational  advantages  in  the  schools  of 
his  native  town,  and  at  the  Appleton  Academy  of  New  Ipswich.  In  1844  he  became 

a student  in  the  law  office  of  Torrey  A AVood,  of  F'itchburg,  and  in  1847  he  was 

admitted  to  the  bar.  Later  he  took  up  his  residence  in  I'itchburg,  entered  actively  in 
the  practice  of  law,  and  continued  this  until  he  now  stands  at  the  head  of  the  legal 
fraternity  in  his  section  of  the  State. 

Mr.  Norcross  has  been  unusually  jirominent  in  political  affairs,  having  held 
responsilile  positions  for  nearly  a quarter  of  a century.  Three  times  was  he  elected  on 
the  Republican  ticket  as  a member  of  the  Massachusetts  House  of  Representatives,  and 
served  on  important  committees  during  the  administration  of  Massachusetts’  “War 
Governor,”  John  A.  Andrews.  In  1862  he  was  appointed  by  President  Lincoln  I’nited 
States  Assessor  for  the  9th  District  of  Massachusetts,  comprising  seventy-two  town- 
shijis,  and  held  the  office  until  its  abolishment,  in  1872.  For  three  times,  also,  he  was 
elected  to  Congress,  serving  his  hrst  term  in  1876. 

Local  matters  have  always  interested  him,  and  in  1873  he  had  the  honor  of  being  the 
hrst  Mayor  of  I'itchburg.  In  the  administration  of  the  affairs  of  the  city  his  rare  execu- 
tive abilit}'  was  strongly  manifested.  hTlucational  advancement  is  what  he  had  sought 
to  gain  and  well  has  he  hdiored  in  the  good  cause.  He  took  a very  active  part  in  the 
formation  of  the  h'itchburg  Ifenevolent  Fnion,  of  which  he  was  the  first  President  and  of 
which  he  is  now  a life  member.  I'he  degree  ot  Master  ot  Arts  was  conferred  upon 
Mr.  Norcross  by  Dartmouth  College  in  1862. 

Of  the  several  offices  now  held  by  Mr.  Norcross,  the  most  important  are  the 
following;  Trustee  of  Lawrence  Acadenn’,  Groton:  President  of  the  Trustees  of  Cush- 
ing .\cadem\-,  Ashburnham  ; of  the  Fitchburg  Mutual  b'ire  Insurance  Company  and  the 


T I I E U X I ) E R W R I T E R. 


Worcester  North  Savings  Institution  ; also  Director  of  the  Kollstone  National  Hank, 
h'or  the  past  ten  years  most  of  his  time  has  been  spent  in  extensive  travel  abroad. 
■Vlthough  he  has  led  a verv  active  life,  he  is  still  vigorous  and  a hne  soecimen  of  well- 
jweserved  manhood. 


WORCKSTEK  MUTUAL  FIRE  INSURANCE  COMPANY. 

The  Worcester  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company  has  had  nearly  three-fourths  of 
a century  of  deserved  and  uninterrupted  prosj^erity,  and  is  a tower  of  strength  and 
stability  in  the  insurance  circles  of  New  England.  This  reliable  and  ably  managed 
company  was  incorporated  February  ii,  1823.  and  commenced  business  May  i,  1824. 
Since  that  time  its  career  has  been  an  unbroken  record  of  progress.  The  affairs  of  the 
company  have  always  been  conducted  on  sound  and  conservative,  albeit  liberal  and 
orogressive  principles,  while  its  management  has  been  characterized  by  sagacity,  energy 
and  ability.  This  company  antedates  any  incorporated  mutual  insurance  company  now 
doinf>^  business  in  the  State  of  Massachusetts.  Its  first  President  was  Levi  Lincoln, 
then  Rejoice  Newton,  afterward  P'rederick  William  Paine,  who  was  succeeded  by 
Anthony  Chase,  who  in  turn  was  succeeded  by  Ebenezer  Torrey.  In  1888  President 
Torrey  was  succeeded  by  John  A.  P'ayerweather,  who  has  hlled  the  position  from  that 
time  up  to  the  present  with  honor  and  credit  to  himself  and  the  company. 

The  company  has  l)een  faithfully  served  lyv  the  following  Secretaries;  Henry  K. 
Newcomb,  William  1).  Wheeler,  Isaac  Goodwin,  Anthony  Chase  and  Charles  M.  Miles, 
the  latter  being  succeeded,  after  a long  series  of  ye^irs,  by  Roger  P'.  Upham,  who  is  the 
jn'esent  incumbent.  The  records  of  the  company  show  the  policies  issued  consecutively 
from  policy  No.  i,  in  serial  order  up  to  210,000,  and  the  cash  assets  have  grown  from 
the  hrst  premium  to  about  $700,000  of  carefully  invested  assets.  It  has  returned  to  its 
policy-holders  dividends  as  high  as  ninety-six  per  cent,  which  returns  are  probably  as 
lar"e,  if  not  larger,  than  ever  made  by  any  other  mutual  company  in  this  country 
doing  a general  mutual  business,  dhe  officers  of  this  prosperous  company  at  the 
present  time  are:  j.  A.  Eayenveather,  President:  R.  F.  l^'pham.  Secretary  and  Treas- 

urer, and  E.  lb  Kendall,  Assistant  Secretary. 

Its  present  Ifoard  of  Directors  is  composed  of  the  following  named  gentlemen; 
j.  A.  P'ayerweather,  Lewis  N.  Gilbert,  Stephen  Sawyer,  Benjamin  Dwinnell,  H.  C. 
Greeley,  R.  P'.  Upham,  Lyman  A.  Ely,  II.  T.  Wdiitin  and  Caleb  Colvin,  all  of  whom 
are  solid  citizens  and  prominent  business  men,  standing  high  in  the  community  alike 
in  hnancial  and  commercial  circles  and  in  private  life. 

r()Gp:r  freeman  upham 


SKCREIAKV  .\XI)  IRK.^SURF.R  WORCESTER  FIRE  IXSUR.\XCE  COMIWXV. 

Rocker  P'reeman  I'pham,  the  efficient  Secretarv  and  Treasurer  of  the  Worcester 
Mutual  P'ire  Insurance  Company,  was  born  September  13,  1848,  to  the  marriage  of 
h'reemin  and  Pilizabeth  (Eivermore)  Upham.  On  the  paternal  side  he  is  descended 
from  John  Upham,  who  was  born  in  Pingiand  but  who  came  to  this  country  with  the 
“Hull  " Colonv  in  March,  1635.  settling  in  W'eymouth,  Massachusetts.  On  the  maternal 
side  he  traces  his  ancestry  back  to  Oliver  W atson,  one  of  the  Revolutionary  jiatriots 


838 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


who,  in  1775,  met  in  convention  at  Watertown,  delegates  from  the  towns  of  Spencer  and 
Leicester,  while  the  British  held  the  town  of  Boston.  Freeman  Upham,  father  of 
subject,  was  a noted  carpenter  and  builder,  whose  services  were  not  only  sought  in 
Worcester  but  elsewhere  in  ^Massachusetts,  and  in  the  Empire  State. 

Roger  F.  Uidiam  attended  the  public  schools  of  Worcester  and  graduated  from 
the  high  school  i\Iay  3,  1866,  with  the  honor  of  salutatorian  in  the  English  depart- 
ment. Following  this  he  studied  the  languages  under  ju'ivate  tutors.  Soon  after  grad- 
uating he  became  a clerk  in  the  People’s  Fire  Insurance  Company  of  Worcester,  which 
company  did  an  extensive  business  in  the  northern  and  western  part  of  the  United 
States,  lie  was  soon  made  bookkeeper  and  within  a few  )’ears  accepted  the  position 
of  xVssistant  Secretary  of  the  company. 

The  great  Boston  hre  of  1872  terminated  the  career  of  the  People’s  Fire,  and  not 
long  afterward  Mr.  Upham  accepted  a position  with  the  Worcester  Mutual  Fire  Insur- 
ance Company,  one  of  the  oldest  and  strongest  mutual  fire  insurance  companies  in  the 
Commonwealth.  The  same  year  he  was  elected  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  company, 
and  on  the  4th  of  May,  1887,  he  was  made  Secretary  and  later  also  Treasurer,  which 
positions  he  has  held  since. 

The  results  obtained  in  this  company’s  long  and  successful  career  have  not  been 
brought  about  l)y  chance  or  good  luck,  but  through  the  administration  of  President 
I'ayerweather  and  his  predecessors,  and  the  able  management  of  the  different  officers. 
Only  first-class  underwriting  ability  has  uniformly  been  in  control  of  the  affairs  of  the 
Worcester  Mutual,  and  the  result  is  the  achievements  of  the  past  and  in  the  Gibralter 
strength  which  it  possesses  at  the  present  time. 

Mr.  Upham,  since  entering  on  the  duties  of  his  present  position,  has  done  much 
important  work  and  made  an  excellent  record.  Ilis  untiring  energy  and  unswerving 
integrity  are  well  known  and  appreciated.  Me  has  taken  great  interest  in  the  Massa- 
chusetts Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Lbiion,  an  organization  composed  of  the  mutual  fire 
insurance  companies  chartered  in  Massachusetts  and  doing  generally  a business  in  New 
Fnudand.  After  seizing  on  the  executive  committee  and  as  \hce-President,  he  was 
elected  President  in  September,  1894,  and  is  the  present  incumbent  of  that  position, 
being  the  fourth  President  of  the  LTion. 

For  some  time  Mr.  Upham  has  been  Trustee  of  the  Worcester  Five  Cents  Savings 
Bank,  and  he  is  interested  in  other  enterprises  of  importance.  He  is  connected  with 
many  philanthropic  organizations  and  is  Secretary  of  the  Home  for  Aged  iMen  in  the 
city  of  W’orcester.  He  is  also  Trustee  of  the  Worcester  Rural  Cemetery.  In  politics 
he  is  an  earnest  and  unswerving  Republican,  a keen  observer  of  the  trend  of  public 
events,  and  a man  who  takes  advanced  and  intelligent  views  of  social  and  political  reform. 

In  his  wife  he  chose  Miss  Clara  Story,  a native  of  Worcester,  Massachusetts,  and 
their  marriage  was  celebrated  June  16,  1875.  To  this  union  has  been  born  one  child, 
a daughter  named  Edith  Story  Upham. 


NAT  HTHDICK  FREEMAN 


I’UBLISIIKR  AND  EDITOR  OF  “THE  RECORD.” 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  of  English  parents,  at  Saugerties,  Ulster 
County,  New  York,  March  25,  1H35,  and  is  therefore  in  his  sixty-second  year. 

The  foundation  of  his  education  was  made  in  a plain  little  country  schoolhouse, 
common  in  those  times,  where  the  seats  were  made  of  rough  slabs  procured  from  a 
near-by  sawmiill.  Here  he  mastered  all  there  was  to  be  learned  from  the  teachers  of 
that  age,  who  came  tor  a term  or  two  and  took  a goodly  portion  of  their  pay  in 
“boarding  round.” 

A restless  spirit  prevented  him  Irom  remaining  long  in  schools  of  a higher  grade, 
and. he  sought  action  in  the  busy  \voiid,  entering  the  largest  dry-goods  and  grocery 
store  in  that  part  of  the  country. 

Attempts  were  made  to  induce  him  to  study  theology,  with  a view  of  entering  the 
ministry,  but  he  would  have  none  of  it,  failing  to  see  how  he  could  teach  something 
that  he  could  in  no  wise  comprehend  himself. 

I’ollowing  this  he  was  urged  to  take  up  the  study  of  medicine,  which  he  did  for 
several  years,  but  hnally  lost  faith  in  the  pretended  power  of  doctors  to  heal  the  sick. 

At  this  time,  in  what  was  known  as  the  Far  West,  \vere  heard  the  first  distant 
mutterings  of  war.  The  Kansas  riots  and  the  attempts  to  enforce  the  Fugitive  Slave 
Law  gave  him  incentives  to  action. 

Leaving  home,  friends  and  kindred  in  the  Last,  he  found  vent  for  the  pent-up 
energy  so  long  suppressed,  and  entered  into  the  spirit  of  those  trying  times  with  all  his 
native  ardor  and  impetuosity. 

When  the  first  alarm  of  war  was  sounded,  he  hastened  eastward,  that  he  might 
be  ready  for  immediate  service  should  there  be  a call  to  arms.  What  more  natural  to 
one  who  was  considered  a good  rough  rider  in  the  West  than  to  select  the  cavalry 
service  ? 

Studying  the  manual  until  it  was  mastered,  then  placing  himself  under  the  best 
teachers  that  he  could  find,  he  soon  became  proficient  in  the  use  of  the  sabre,  and 
when  the  time  came  for  action,  Connecticut's  War  Governor,  Buckingham,  permitted 
him  to  assist  in  the  recruiting  of  the  Lirst  Battalion  of  Connecticut  Cavalry. 

His  systematic,  forceful  manner  of  teaching  the  new  recruits  was  soon  apparent, 
and  the  first  two  comjranies  were  highly  complimented  on  the  excellence  and  perfectness 
of  their  drill.  At  the  front,  history  states  that  this  regiment  was  the  peer  of  any  body 
of  mounted  men  in  the  service. 

It  is  well  known  that  Governor  ILickingham  and  Abraham  Lincoln  were  warm 
friends,  and  when  President  Lincoln  needed  a man  for  important,  special  service,  Mr. 
Lreeman  was  called  from  the  front  and  accepted  the  mission.  He  entered  the  work 
with  all  his  usual  energy,  succeeded  in  performing  his  task  to  the  satisfaction  of  the 
President,  but  unfortunately  his  health  gave  wa)',  and  he  was  compelled  to  ask  for  a 
discharge . 

Then  followed  a year  or  two  of  recuperation,  and  he  became  interested  in  the 
business  of  insurance.  In  this,  as  in  everything  else,  he  realized  that  knowledge  is 
power,  and  closely  followed  every  available  avenue  of  information,  soon  finding  that 
many  of  the  leaders  had  much  to  learn  as  well  as  himself.  After  a close  study  of  field 
work,  he  decided  to  enter  the  lists  of  journalism,  where  he  still  remains. 


;!40 


F I R E A N D M A R I N E. 

That  he  is  a success  is  but  evidenced  by  his  Ion"  connection  with  one  of  the 
oldest  and  most  successful  insurance  journals  in  America. 

To  all  those  who  are  ac(|uainted  with  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  it  is  unnecessary 
to  state  that  he  is  a born  fighter,  and  is  never  quite  as  happy  as  when  he  is  dipping 
his  pen  in  wormwood  and  gall,  and  slashing  right  and  left  into  the  ranks  of  sycophants, 
hypocrites  and  wrongdoers  generally.  His  very  aggressiveness  and  hatred  of  fraud  have, 
perhaps,  been  the  chief  causes  of  his  success. 

He  claims  that  a man  should  have  quite  as  many  enemies  as  friends,  and  glories 
in  the  thought  that  a man  who  has  no  powerful  enemies  is  a useless  creature. 

To  those  whom  he  likes  he  exhibits  another  phase  of  his  character.  A cjuick 
symjiathy,  tenderness  and  generosity  are  as  much  a jiart  of  his  make-up  as  are  the 
before  mentioned  characteristics. 

Bright,  genial,  witty,  warm-hearted  Nat  ! 

Long  may  you  live  to  enjoy  life  ! 


MATTHKW  (fKIFFIN 

PUin.ISHKK  OF  “'I'HE  IXSUR.AN’CK  .XOF.” 

Brobably  no  man  has  been  a more  positive  force  in  insurance  journalism,  and  in 
financial  journalism  in  New  York  City,  than  Alatthew  Ciriffin,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 
Born  and  educated  in  Michigan,  he  struggled  with  life  in  that  State  until  a larger  field 
tempted  his  ambition,  at  the  age  of  24.  During  the  last  eight  years  spent  in  his  native 
State,  young  Griffin  was  l)y  times  a farm  hand,  a clerk,  a school  teacher,  but  always 
a student,  and  his  employments  were  merely  auxiliaries  to  his  main  purpose  — the 
securing  of  an  education.  As  he  had  been  an  orphan  from  an  early  age,  his  studies 
were  juirsued,  like  those  of  so  many  Western  boys  of  that  jieriod,  under  the  temporary 
disadvantage  of  unaided  self-effort.  i\If.  Griffin’s  first  real  business  venture  was  in  life 
insurance,  fie  went  East,  in  1866,  with  Mr.  S.  M.  Loveridge,  of  Ypsilanti,  a great  General 
Agent  of  that  sterling  old  company,  the  Mutual  Benefit  Life  of  Newark,  New  Jersey. 
Later  he  was  appointed  General  Agent  for  Ohio  and  Michigan  of  the  Penn  Mutual,  of 
Philadelphia,  and  after  five  years  of  effort  he  accepted  a like  position  with  the  United 
States  Life,  of  New  York.  Both  as  a solicitor  and  manager  he  was  very  successful. 
Developing  tastes  and  aspirations  in  the  direction  of  journalism,  he  engaged  with  \\k  T. 
Tillinghast  to  assist  in  conducting  the  “Index,”  now  “The  Standard,”  of  P)Oston.  In 
this  capacity  he  traveled  much,  making  many  life-long  friends,  adding  largely  to  the  business 
of  the  i^aper  and  showing  great  abilities  as  a writer  on  insurance.  In  1875  he  purchased 
“The  Insurance  Age,”  of  New  York,  which  had  been  founded  in  1872  by  Sidnev  S. 
Norton.  In  Mr.  Griffin’s  hands  the  enterprise  was  an  almost  instantaneous  success,  his 
originality  and  ability  bringing  it  up  to  a high  plane,  both  as  to  its  influence  and  its 
profit  to  himself.  In  1881,  having  become  interested  in  Wall  Street  matters,  he  began 
the  publication  of  “The  Daily  Stockholder,”  a financial  newsjmper,  which  soon  became 
a power  in  speculative  and  investment  circles.  Mr.  Griffin  still  owns  both  papers,  which 
are  widely  circulated,  prosperous  and  influential,  although  the  “ Insurance  Age  ” has  been 
almost  wholly  under  the  management  of  Mr.  George  W.  Hatch  since  1887.  As  before 
stated,  Matthew  Griffin,  when  active  in  journalism,  was  always  a most  living  and 


THE  UNDER  \V  R I T E R. 


U2 


positiv^e  force.  Like  every  man  of  strong  character  and  individuality,  he  made 
enemies  during  his  active  and  varied  career — enemies  who  did  not  hesitate  to  vilify  him 
and  to  attempt  to  prejudice  his  friends  against  him.  But  many  who  read  this  sketch 
will  testify  that  these  enemies  had  to  reckon  with  a powerful  and  determined  adversary, 
llis  aggressive  methods  in  journalism  and  his  fearlessness  in  his  editorial  utterances 
involved  him  in  many  sharp  controversies,  both  in  insurance  and  Wall  Street  matters. 
So  skillful,  able  and  thorough  was  his  conduct  of  these  controversies  that  he  never  at 
any  time  failed  to  vanquish  his  antagonist.  Our  space  forbids  us  to  name  instances, 
though  many  will  occur  to  those  who  read  this  sketch,  and  who  are  familiar  with  the 
course  of  insurance  and  financial  happenings  from  1875  to  1893.  He  never  sought 
personal  controversies,  but  quickly  responded  to  attacks  if  directed  against  him  by  con- 
temporaries or  enemies.  He  used  to  announce,  “I  never  strike  the  first  blow,  but 
will  always  strike  the  last  one.”  He  was  and  is  a master  of  controversial  writing,  a 
merciless  logician,  and  a most  intense  and  spirited  critic  of  whatever  in  his  judgment 
demands  criticism.  He  has  always  been  as  loyal  to  his  friends  as  he  has  been  formid- 
able to  his  enemies,  and  this  loyalty  is  attested  by  the  abiding  esteem  of  those  whom 
he  was  able  to  serve  while  active  in  his  chosen  profession.  Failing  health  has  compelled 
Mr.  Griffin  during  the  past  two  years  to  relegate  to  other  hands  the  direct  prosecution 
of  the  business  of  his  journals.  Worn  with  the  strain  of  his  early  battles  with  the  world, 
and  weakened  by  the  drafts  upon  his  nervous  force  made  by  years  of  earnest  and  often 
bitter  journalistic  warfare,  he  now  more  leisurely  and  calmly  “watches  the  battle  from 
afar.”  But  it  is  safe  to  say  he  is  followed  by  the  hope  of  his  many  friends  that  his 
retirement  is  only  temporary,  and  that  he  will  soon  take  up  again  the  work  in  which 
he  so  long  demonstrated  his  natural  eminence  and  his  pronounced  ability  of  accom- 
plish ment. 


CHAKLES  C.  HIKE 

INSURANCE  |(  )URNAI,TS'r,  PUHI.ISIIER  AND  EDUrOR  OE  'I'lIE  INSURANCE  MCtNEPOR. 

It  is  safe  to  say  that  no  single  factor  conducted  as  a private  enterprise  has  done 
so  much  to  elevate  and  build  up  the  insurance  business  of  the  Lhiited  States  as  the 
“Insurance  Monitor”  and  other  publications  devoted  to  insurance  interests  which  are 
issued  in  connection  with  it,  and  which  reju'esents  the  lifetime  authority  and  experience 
of  a man  of  such  intellectual  force  as  Mr.  Charles  C.  Hine. 

Insurance  in  its  various  branches  is  one  of  the  interesting  features  of  modern 
business  life.  Conducted  upon  scientific  principles,  as  it  now  is,  it  possesses  not  only  a 
technical  literature  of  its  own.  but  a journalism  which  is  of  as  much  direct  importance 
to  the  commercial  world  as  to  the  professional  representative  of  insurance.  The  united 
voice  of  the  latter  accord  the  position  of  the  leading  insurance  journal  of  this  country 
to  the  “Insurance  Monitor”  of  New  York,  while  its  editor  and  proprietor,  Mr.  Hine,  is 
conceded  not  only  the  distinction  of  conducting  a periodical  of  such  high  standing,  but 
of  having  been  influential  in  every  development  which  has  raised  insurance  to  its  present 
standing. 

Mr.  11  ine  was  born  in  New  Haven,  Connecticut,  December  21.  1825,  but  when  he 
had  reached  the  age  of  six  years  his  parents  emigrated  to  the  “ Ear  West.  ” settling  in 
Monroe  Countv,  New  York,  eight  miles  from  Rochester,  which  was  then  considered 


T H E U N J ) E R W RITE  R. 


■su 


almost  out  of  the  bounds  of  civilization.  In  this  county  young  Iline  completed  his 
education,  graduating  from  the  little  brown  schoolhouse  in  Perrinton,  at  eleven  years  of 
age.  Me  attended  school  only  during  the  winter  months,  for  when  the  warm  weather 
came  he  usually  hired  himself  out  as  a farm  hand  at  four  dollars  per  month. 

When  he  was  twelve  years  old  his  parents  removed  to  Massillon,  Ohio,  and  for  a 
few  years  he  hlled  the  position  of  clerk  in  a bookstore  there,  where  he  managed  to 
read  ju'etty  nearly  every  fjook  on  the  shelves.  He  entered  the  paintshop  of  his  father’s 
carriage  manufactory  as  an  apprentice  when  fifteen  years  old,  and  here  he  met  an 
Englishman  named  Bob  Andrews,  who  had  studied  art  to  some  extent  before  coming  to 
this  country.  From  him  Mr.  Mine  received  inspiration  for  higher  artistic  ambitions  than 
painting  a coach  body,  and  as  a result  he  branched  out  as  an  artist,  following  that  until 
about  twenty-two  years  old. 

.\bout  this  time  the  Henry  O’Reilly  telegraph  lines  began  to  penetrate  the  WAst 
and  he  learned  telegraphy,  subsequently  having  charge  of  the  offices  at  New  Lisbon, 
Ohio,  Detroit,  Michigan,  Peru,  Illinois,  and  Jacksonville,  Illinois.  Later  he  had  charge  of 
the  St.  Louis  office,  and  last  of  all,  that  at  New  Albany,  Indiana,  to  which  town  he  had 
removed  for  the  purpose  of  going  into  other  business.  In  1853  he  married  Miss  iMary 
II.  A\-ery,  of  WAstport,  Connecticut.  Subsequently  he  was  cashier  of  the  Merchants' 
and  iMechanics’  Bank,  and  Principal  of  the  New  Albany  Female  Seminary. 

However,  from  early  in  the  fifties  he  was  more  or  less  engaged  in  insurance,  build- 
ing up  a large  and  prohtable  local  agency  in  connection  with  various  other  matters  in 
which  he  was  interested.  The  crash  in  1857  carried  him  down  with  thousands  of  others, 
and  the  following  year  he  l)ecame  Special  Agent  for  the  SEtna.  In  1865  he  was  elected 
Secretary  of  the  International  Insurance  Company  of  New  York,  but  in  1868  he  bought 
out  the  “Monitor”  publishing  concern,  and  from  that  time  up  to  the  present  has  been 
engaged  with  the  various  insurance  publications  with  which  his  name  has  been  identified. 
Under  Mr.  Hine’s  management  and  editorship  they  have  become  a power  in  the  world 
of  insurance.  Around  “The  Monitor,”  as  a nucleus,  have  grown  up  the  “Insurance 
Law  journal,  ” and  a large  catalogue  of  insurance  books,  many  of  them  from  Mr.  Hine’s 
own  pen. 

The  work  of  the  Underwriters’  Protective  Association,  of  which  he  is  the  Presi- 
dent, is  well  known  for  its  value  and  Ireneficence  throughout  the  hre  insurance  craft. 
While  Mr.  Hine  has  achieved  a remarkable  success,  his  reputation  as  an  authority  on 
the  history,  technicalities  and  jurisprudence  of  insurance  has  steadily  risen,  and  at  the 
acre  of  over  threescore  and  ten  years  he  is  still  active  in  his  chosen  work. 


CHAUNCb:V  MONROE  RANSOM 

KDITOR  .\XI)  I’URI.ISIIKR  OF  'I'HK  “ S'lWNDARD  ” OF  BOSTON. 

'I'he  narrative  of  the  principal  events  in  this  well-known  journalist’s  life  will  be 
found  to  exemplif}’  the  old  saying,  that  “A  man  may  make  of  himself  what  he  will." 
No  insurance  journalist  is  more  widely  known  or  highly  esteemed  than  Col.  C.  M. 
Ransom,  editor  and  publisher  of  the  Standard  of  Boston.  His  relations  with  both 
comj)anies  and  agents  are  j^ersonal  and  intimate,  and  they,  like  his  many  friends  of 
the  })ress,  will  appreciate  the  following  sketch. 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


Colonel  Ransom  is  a product  of  the  Empire  State,  born  in  Erie  County,  and  his 
life  has  been  an  unusually  active  one.  His  educational  advantages  were  excellent  and 
when  he  had  reached  the  age  of  seventeen  he  taught  a winter  term  of  school.  Eol- 

lowing  this,  he  eml)arked  in  merchandising,  and  at  odd  hours  solicited  hre  insurance. 

In  the  year  1856  he  removed  to  Chicago,  where  he  was  caught  in  the  panic  two  years 

later.  I'rom  there  he  went  to  Cincinnati,  where  he  was  active  and  prominent  as  the 

Secretary  of  a hre  insurance  company  from  1858  until  1867,  then  Adce-President  of  a 
life  company  for  one  year,  after  which  he  engaged  rvith  a life  comjiany  of  St.  Louis. 

In  the  month  of  September,  1871,  Colonel  Ransom  purchased  a half  interest  in 
the  “Baltimore  Underwriter,”  which  interest  he  sold  in  IMarch,  1878,  and  purchased 
the  then  “Index,”  of  Boston.  This  he  changed  into  “The  Standard”  in  September, 
1882,  and  converted  it  into  a weekly  January  i,  1883.  To  the  “Standard”  since  then 
Colonel  Ransom  has  given  his  best  energies,  working  early  and  late,  and  drawing  lib- 
erally on  the  till  and  the  telegraph  in  the  interest  of  news.  The  result  is  that  “The 
Standard  ” is  second  to  no  other  insurance  newspaper. 

During  all  this  time,  thanks  to  his  popularity  and  enterprise,  the  Colonel  has  been 
in  almost  constant  demand  by  the  fraternity,  identifying  himself  with  every  important 
reform  movement  in  the  various  branches  of  underwriting.  His  service  in  the  cause  of 
life  insurance  reform,  had  he  done  nothing  else,  would  render  him  eminent.  He  it  was  who 
conceived  the  idea  of  organizing  the  Boston  Life  Underwriters’  Association,  and  he  who 
called  the  meeting  that  resulted  in  its  organization,  at  the  “Standard’s”  editorial 
rooms  early  in  1883.  At  that  meeting  he  outlined  the  advantages  that  would  come 
from  an  association  of  the  kind,  predicted  the  organization  of  other  associations  and 
in  the  course  of  a few  years  the  very  National  Association  that  followed. 

Although  societies  of  insurance  men  had  existed  before,  they  were  sporadic,  local 
in  their  scope  and  ephemeral,  but  the  Boston  Life  Underwriters’  Association,  his  con- 
ception, was  the  inspiration  of  the  movement  which  has  brought  into  fraternization  the 
life  insurance  forces  of  the  entire  country. 

As  the  pioneer  in  this  grand  work,  and  as  the  acknowledged  godfather  of  the  asso- 
ciation movement.  Colonel  Ransom  has  done  a vast  deal  of  work  without  compensation, 
traveling  hither  and  thither,  organizing  new  associations,  presiding  at  “first  nights,” 
making  addresses,  sending  telegraphic  reports  to  his  own  paper,  and  working  well 
through  the  night  to  prepare  synopses  for  the  daily  press.  All  his  efforts  were  appre- 
ciated l)y  the  life  insurance  fraternity,  as  was  demonstrated  by  the  recejRion  and 
baiKjuet  tendered  him  by  the  Boston  Association  in  January,  1891,  and  demonstrated 
also  from  the  resolutions  of  thanks  that  he  has  received  from  nearly  every  association 
in  the  country. 

Much  admiration  is  expressed  for  his  endeavors  and  his  enterprise,  and  it  would 
be  well  for  insurance  and  for  insurance  journalism  if  there  were  more  insurance  editors 
and  publishers  of  the  caliber  of  Col.  C.  M.  Ransom,  of  the  “Standard.”  In  the  light 
of  his  intelligent,  conscientious  and  successful  rvork,  the  imbeciles  and  pretenders  who 
)K)se  as  editors  and  publishers  become  all  the  more  worthless  by  contrast.  As  the 
father  of  the  idea  of  association,  his  place  is  secure  in  the  history  of  American  life 
insurance.  He  now  holds  the  position  of  President  of  the  Insurance  Journalists’  Asso- 
ciation ()1  America. 


J.  B.  BENNETT. 

It  is  no  disparagement  of  Mr.  Bennett’s  contemporaries  to  say  of  him  that  he  was 
the  greatest  agt^icy  manager  of  his  generation.  lie  could  keep  a longer  team  of  agents 
straighter  on  the  road  at  a higher  rate  of  speed  than  any  man  of  his  day.  It  may  be 
retorted  that  he  had  a greater  opportunity  than  any  other  man  ever  had.  Possibly,  but 
he  had  the  wit  to  perceive  his  opportunity  and  the  strength  and  industry  to  improve  it. 
If  he  had  a clear  held  and  almost  no  competition,  that  held  was  comparatively  untried, 
and  headway  had  to  be  made  along  new  trails  or  blazed  paths  instead  of  over  smooth  and 
familiar  roads.  Mr.  Bennett  was  a man  of  imperious  will,  indomitable  industry  and 
unusual  fertility  of  resource.  These  were  the  cjualities  that  made  him  the  manager  that 
he  was,  but  agency  management  appeared  to  be  the  one  avenue  through  which  he  could 
use  those  qualities  to  the  best  advantage,  for  when,  after  an  unwise  struggle  with  the  yEtna 
company,  he  quit  his  familiar  held  for  that  of  presiding  officer  of  new  companies,  he 
was  almost  as  phenomenal  a failure  as  he  had  before  been  a phenomenal  success. 

In  1841  Mr.  Bennett  entered  the  insurance  office  of  E.  Robins,  who  was  the 
Western  General  Agent  of  the  old  Protection  of  Hartford,  a good  man,  a kind  employer 
and  methodical  in  his  business.  Here  the  young  underwriter  obtained  a view  of  the 
twenty  years’  experience  that  had  gone  before,  and  here  he  continued  until  the  death 
of  Mr.  Robins  in  1846.  During  this  interval  Mr.  Robins’  poor  health  often  unhtted  him 
for  office  duties  and  much  of  the  responsibility  and  much  of  the  important  labor  of  the 
office  fell  into  iMr.  Bennett’s  hands.  There  is  a good  deal  of  insurance  history  between 
1846  and  1853  when  the  arrangement  was  entered  into  for  a Western  Branch  Office  of  the 
MMna  of  Hartford  under  Mr.  Bennett’s  supervision,  and  the  sixteen  years  that  followed 
that  arrangement  witnessed  a development  of  the  agency  business  all  over  these  United. 
States  such  as  no  man  could  have  prophesied  at  their  beginning,  and  it  is  not  too  much 
to  say  that  the  stimulus  which  started  and  kept  it  well  a-going  emanated  in  large  part 
from  Mr.  Bennett’s  Cincinnati  General  /\gency. 

Joseph  B.  Bennett  was  born  on  the  iith  of  August,  1825,  in  the  pretty  English 
village  of  Narborough,  County  of  Norfolk.  Surety  obligations  and  reverses  in  trade 
suddenly  swept  away  the  fortune  of  his  father  about  the  time  of  Joseph’s  birth.  After 
six  years  of  struggle  and  retrenchment,  emigration  to  America  was  determined  on  and 
in  [831  they  arrived  in  the  United  States.  Pushing  directly  for  what  was  then  the 
Western  frontier  they  settled  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  then  a town  of  less  than  3,000  inhabit- 
ants. 

Cleveland  severely  tested  the  endurance  of  the  little  English  boy  before  he  was 
eight  years  old.  He  attended  a school  on  Sujierior  Street,  kept  by  a Mr.  Rawson,  a 
strapping  man  of  about  180  jiounds  advoirdupois,  with  whom  whipping  was  a daily  and 
popular  exercise.  One  day  the  entire  class  was  to  be  put  through.  Joseph  knew  he 
was  innocent,  but  all  appeal  was  cut  off,  so,  when  his  turn  came,  he  stood  stoically  still 
and  permitted  neither  tear  nor  muscle  to  reveal  his  torture.  He  would  have  dropped  dead 
in  his  tracks  rather  than  wince  under  Rawson’s  rod.  Nevertheless,  Joe  was  glad  to  leave 
that  Cleveland  school,  although  he  was  making  reputation  among  his  playmates  and  finding 
in  their  friendshij-)  a balsam  lor  the  many  black  and  blue  stripes  that  Rawson  inflicted. 

In  1833  the  family  moved  to  Cincinnati,  hoping  to  find  a more  genial  climate  and 
favoring  circumstances.  Necessity  early  conqielled  J.  B.  Bennett  to  adopt  a life  of  toil, 
and  at  twelve  years  of  age  he  labored  in  a wholesale  grocery  establishment  so  excess- 
i\’clv  as  to  retard  his  growth.  At  fourteen  he  entered  a jewelry  store  and  worked  with 

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849 


such  diligence  that  the  owner  was  satisfied  to  leave  him  in  charge  for  days  at  a time, 
but  shoplifters,  seeing  a diminutive  clerk  in  sole  charge,  were  attracted  to  the 
store,  where  they  were  usually  detected,  but  the  little  salesman  could  not  leave  to  find 
an  officer,  and  was,  much  to  his  own  mortification,  too  small  to  arrest  them  himself. 
At  fifteen  he  spent  one  year  in  college,  and  at  sixteen  he  launched  upon  the  profession 
in  which  he  afterward  made  a national  reputation. 

The  later  years  of  Mr.  Bennett’s  life  won  him  the  sympathy  of  all  who  knew 
him  intimately  during  that  period.  While  General  Agent  of  the  Bdtna  he  enjoyed  a 
liberal  income,  and  by  prudent  management  of  his  private'  affairs  accumulated  a con- 
siderable fortune,  but  he  lost  everything  in  the  new  companies  which  he  started,  and 
when  he  found  himself  at  the  bottom  of  the  ladder  with  a new  generation  of  men  in 
control  as  managers  and  officers,  he  found  it  impracticable  to  get  back  into  position 
again.  He  made  a connection  at  one  time  with  the  New  York  Life  and  after  that 
with  the  Continental  Fire,  and  then  for  a number  of  years  acted  as  Compact  Manager. 
He  died  at  Indianapolis,  on  the  loth  of  November,  1889,  aged  65,  and  his  body  rests  in 
the  beautiful  Spring  Grove  Cemetery  at  Cincinnati,  beneath  a monument  erected  by  the 
fire  insurance  men  of  the  country  as  a slight  testimonial  of  their  high  appreciation  of 
his  character,  a character  that  stood  such  tests  as  seldom  fall  to  the  lot  of  humanity. 
During  all  his  years  of  adversity  he  never  lost  confidence  in  himself,  and,  whatever  his 
trials,  his  lips  were  sealed  against  complaint.  He  was  cheerful,  self-masterful,  heroic, 
and  he  ripened  under  the  softening  influences  of  Christian  culture  onward  to  the  date 
of  his  death,  and  he  died  in  the  harness;  and  there  are  more  fire  insurance  men  in  the 
United  States  to  rise  up  and  call  him  blessed  than  would  respond  to  the  name  of  any 
other  underwriter,  living  or  dead. 


11.  M.  BLOSSOM. 

In  studying  the  lives  and  characters  of  prominent  men.  we  are  naturally  led  to 
inquire  into  the  secret  of  their  success  and  the  motives  that  prompted  their  action. 
Success  is  not  merely  a cjuestion  of  genius,  as  held  l)y  many,  but  rather  a matter  of 
experience  and  sound  judgment.  When  we  trace  the  character  of  those  who  stand 
highest  in  public  esteem,  we  find  in  nearly  every  case  that  they  are  those  who  have 
risen  gradually,  fighting  their  way  in  the  face  of  opposition.  Such  has  been  the  expe- 
rience of  Mr.  H.  M.  Blossom,  whose  life  has  been  full  of  interesting  incidents,  and  who, 
in  every  sense  of  the  term  has  been  the  architect  of  his  own  fortune. 

He  owes  his  nativity  to  Madison,  New  York,  where  he  was  born  in  i8^y  to 
Rufus  and  Tirzah  Blossom,  both  originally  from  the  State  of  iMassachusetts,  but  who 
in  early  life  settled  in  the  State  of  New  York.  In  the  latter  State  his  boyhood  days 
were  spent  and  there  he  received  a fair  education  in  the  public  schools.  In  September, 
1852,  he  migrated  westward  with  his  parents.  At  this  time  railroad  building  was  prac- 
tically unknown  in  the  West,  and  steamboating  was  one  of  the  most  attractive  and 
lucrative  callings  that  could  be  offered  to  a young  man.  Mr.  Blossom  decided  upon 
following  it.  The  city  of  St.  Louis  was  at  that  time  in  a most  thriving  condition  and 
in  the  trade  of  the  Mississippi  VClley  occupied  a commanding  position,  her  transpor- 
tation facilities  being  wholly  by  the  rivers.  Over  her  waters  floated  hundreds  of  steamers 
in  daily  competition  for  the  freight  and  passengers  received  and  discharged  at  her 


850 


THE  UNDERWRITER. 


wharves  ; and  the  levee  in  the  midst  of  the  busy  season  was  a sight  to  inspire  anyone 
who  had  the  capacity  to  conceive  its  meaning.  Mr.  Blossom’s  keen  and  discerning  mind 
comprehended  it  all  at  a glance,  and  his  desire  to  be  “ u}-)  and  doing”  was  soon 
rewarded,  for  he  was  given  the  position  of  Clerk  on  the  steamer  “Polar  Star,” 
which  at  that  time  was  the  most  successful  and  popular  boat  on  the  Missouri  River. 

The  steamers  employed  at  that  time  in  the  trade  of  the  Missouri  River  were  noted 
for  their  speed  and  beauty  of  construction,  and  were  scarcely  less  distinguished  for  the 
skill  of  their  commanding  officers  and  pilots,  as  well  as  for  the  courtesy  and  efficiencv 
of  their  clerks.  Many  an  old  citizen  of  St.  Louis  who  may  read  these  lines  will  recall 
the  great  popularity  of  the  “Polar  Star”  and  its  Clerk,  who  had  also  become  one  of 
its  owners  and  known  everywhere  on  Western  waters  as  “Harry  Blossom.”  He  was 
no  less  popular  in  his  service  on  that  other  famous  steamer  “Hiawatha,”  which  was 
in  the  New  Orleans  trade,  ^and  of  this  vessel  he  also  became  part  owner.  Steam- 
boating occupied  his  attention  almost  exclusively  for  nearly  eight  years  ; but  the  Civil 
War  opened  and  brought  with  it  the  practical  suspension  of  steamboat  interests  on  the 
river,  so  he  came  “on  shore”  and  turned  his  attention  to  other  pursuits.  He  has 
never  been  heard  to  regret  those  active  and  fruitful  years  of  his  early  life,  for  they 
opened  his  eyes  to  the  possibilities  of  the  West,  brought  him  into  close  contact  with 
the  leading  men  of  all  sections  of  the  countr}',  furnished  him  the  best  possible  training 
in  business  methods,  and  while  still  young  gave  him  conhdence  in  himself  and  revealed 
to  him  the  value  of  kindness  and  courtesy  in  all  the  relations  of  life. 

After  quitting  the  river  he  located  permanently  in  St.  Louis  and  engaged  in  the 
hre  and  marine  insurance  business,  which  he  has  continued  to  follow  up  to  the  present 
day,  with  a success  that  has  made  him  widely  known  and  honored,  not  only  in  the 
business  community  of  St.  Louis,  but  also  in  the  insurance  circles  of  the  many  States. 
He  is  the  well-known  author  of  many  of  the  fundamental  maxims  and  jirinciples  now  incor- 
porated into  the  governing  laws  of  hre  insurance  associations  throughout  the  country,  some 
of  which  at  their  first  proclamation  were  deemed  fairly  startling  in  their  scope  and 
effect.  His  trenchant  pen  has  given  to  the  literature  of  insurance  some  of  its  most 
salient  features,  and  he  has  often  appeared  by  re(,}uest  l)efore  various  organized  bodies 

of  insurance  men  in  the  discussion  of  matters  affecting  their  business. 

After  completing  three  years  of  life  in  the  West  Mr.  Blossom  returned  to  his  old 
home  in  New  York,  married  there  and  returned  West  with  his  voting  bride,  with  whom 

he  lived  in  loving  companionship  for  forty-one  years,  and  then  “God  took  her." 

Althoutrh  he  devotes  close  attention  to  his  business  he  has  found  time  to  interest  him- 
self  in  affairs  of  public  moment  and  in  social  life,  and  is  a member  of  the  St.  Louis, 
the  Mercantile  and  the  Noon-day  clubs.  He  has  long  been  a memlier  of  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  for  twenty-hve  years  has  been  a member  of  its  Elders  and 
of  its  ‘ ‘ Session  ” of  Board  of  Trustees. 


. 


FRANK  A.  COLLEY. 


Frank  A.  Colley,  of  Boston,  Alassachusetts,  agent  for  several  stock  insurance 
companies  for  the  New  England  States,  was  born  December  to,  1852,  at  Newmarket, 
New  Hampshire,  and  is  a son  of  William  B.  and  Cynthia  ].  Colley.  His  youthful 
career  was  but  little  different  from  that  of  the  average  boy  of  the  time.  When  but 
fourteen  years  of  age  he  graduated  from  high  school,  and  verr  shortly  afterward  com- 
menced his  career  in  the  insurance  business,  an  occupation  he  has  ever  since  continued. 
He  began  as  office  boy  for  John  Sise,  of  Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire,  who  was  then 
engaged  in  the  general  insurance  business,  but  in  October,  1870,  accepted  a position 
with  Foster  & Cole,  of  Boston,  remaining  with  this  firm  until  March,  1870,  when  he 
received  the  appointment  of  Special  Agent  for  the  New  England  States  for  the  Union 
Insurance  Company  of  Philadelphia.  In  Eebruary,  1889,  he  became  Special  Agent 
for  the  New  Hampshire  Fire  Insurance  Company,  for  the  same  territory,  was  elected 
to  the  jTosition  of  General  Agent  for  this  company  in  January,  1891,  and  was  given 
charge  of  the  underwriting  for  the  entire  country.  In  September  of  the  same  year  he 
was  appointed  Assistant  Manager  of  the  New  York  office  of  the  London  and  Lanca- 
shire Fire  Insurance  Company,  of  England,  but  retired  from  this  position,  and  in  1893 
opened  a general  insurance  office  in  Boston,  where  he  is  at  present  engaged  in  a large 
and  profitable  work.  He  is  the  New  England  Manager  of  the  Globe  Eire  Insurance 
Company  and  the  Norwood  Fire  Insurance  Company,  both  of  New  York;  IMillers’  and 
Manufacturers’  Insurance  Company  of  Minneapolis,  Minnesota;  Schuylkill  Fire  Insurance 
Company  of  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  and  Boston  Manager  of  the  Reliance  Insurance 
Company  of  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  Colley  has  achieved  distinction  as  one  of  the  able  insurance  men  of  the 
age,  and  in  addition  to  this  is  justly  considered  as  one  of  Boston’s  foremost  citizens. 
He  has  found  sufficient  time  from  his  work  to  partake  of  some  of  the  social  pleasures 
and  privileges  of  life,  being  a Knight  Templar  of  the  York  Rite,  Masonry,  as  well  as 
a d'hirty-second  Degree  member  of  the  Scottish  branch  of  that  order.  In  religious  views 
he  is  an  avowed  Protestant.  As  a Republican  in  politics  he  finds  no  reason  why  he  is 
not  in  full  accord  and  sympathy  with  his  party  in  the  year  of  our  Eord  1896. 


3.'>2 


WILLIAM  C.  MAGILL. 

Mr.  William  C.  Magill,  whose  portrait  -appears  on  the  page  opposite,  became  a 
member  of  the  insurance  fraternity  when  he  connected  himself,  in  1874,  as  solicitor, 
later  as  surveyor,  with  the  hrm  of  George  C.  Clarke  & Company,  of  Chicago.  Remaining 
with  Clarke  lS:  Company  until  Alay,  1878,  always  as  the  outside  man  of  the  concern 

(the  latter  part  of  the  time  a participant  in  the  profits  of  the  firm),  he  obtained  a 

knowledge  of  men  and  fire  hazards  that  has  always  paid  him  and  his  companies  well. 

From  1879  to  Octol)er  i,  1887,  he  was  the  “Company”  of  Montgomery  & Company, 
also  of  Chicago,  and  with  that  company  filled  the  important  position  he  seemed  so  well 
cut  out  for  (general  outside  man  of  the  firm),  for  in  the  \Vest  the  agents  control  a 

very  much  larger  percentage  of  the  insurance  business  done  in  their  agency  than  do 

their  Eastern  brethren,  and  do  much  of  the  soliciting  in  person. 

On  October  i,  1887,  the  old  firm  was  dissolved  and  i\Ir.  Magill  became  the  senior 
member  of  the  firm  of  Magill  & Chamberlain,  which  existed  until  October  i,  1895, 
at  which  time  he  purchased  Chamberlain’s  interest,  changing  the  style  of  the  firm  to 
W’llliam  C.  Magill  & Company,  the  present  name,  known  from  the  Atlantic  to  the 
Pacific. 

During  the  whole  of  the  time  Mr.  Magill  has  been  connected  with  the  fire  insurance 
business  his  specialty  has  l)een  that  of  outside  man  (soliciting,  surve}'ing  and  adjusting), 
where  he  has  long  since  l)ecome  thoroughly  imbued  with  the  idea  that  a company's 
interest  is  an  agent’s  interest,  and  that  an  agent  who  will  watch  net  results  and  not 
his  commissions  is  the  agent  who  properly  represents  the  companies  intrusted  to  him 
and  will  win  in  the  end. 

At  the  present  time  his  firm,  William  C.  Magill  & Company,  represent  some 
$50,000,000  of  insurance  assets,  and  they  seem  each  year  to  be  able  to  give  their 
companies  a very  nice  net  profit  as  well  as  a comfortable  increase  in  premiums. 


3,-)4 


V 


FKK  1)1  NANI)  MARKS. 


\ 


In  Ferdinand  Marks  is  found  a man  whose  career  through  life  is  a decidedly 
interesting  one.  Mr.  Marks  was  born  in  Germany  June  23,  icSyb,  but  since  the  year 
1 (S60  he  has  been  a resident  of  New  Orleans,  where  he  is  well  known  and  has  many 
warm  friends.  He  is  a son  of  Leonard  and  Eva  Marks,  natives  of  the  old  country, 
where  all  their  days  were  passed.  Young  Marks  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  his 
native  country  and  when  but  a lad  of  thirteen  came  to  this  country.  After  residing  in 
New  'i'ork  City  for  a )'ear  he  made  his  way  to  New  Orleans  and  embarked  in  the 
wholesale  clothing  business,  which  he  continued  successfully  until  1872.  After  this  he 
was  in  the  cotton  business  until  1886,  when  he  became  interested  in  insurance,  as 
General  Agent  of  the  Manhattan  Lite  Insurance  Company. 

In  the  year  1887  he  was  appointed  Agent  of  the  Farragut  Fire  Insurance  Com- 
pany of  New  h’ork,  which  company  is  still  in  his  office,  together  with  London  and 
Lancashire,  Norwich  Union,  llnion  Assurance,  Hamburg-Bremen,  Pennsylvania  Farragut, 
Springfield  Fire  and  Marine,  Atlanta  Home,  Niagara,  Mutual  Fire  of  New  York  City, 
and  others.  In  1879  Mr.  Marks  was  elected  to  the  Constitutional  Convention  of 
Louisiana.  He  was  appointed  and  reappointed  a Director  of  the  Charity  Hospital  of 
Louisiana — a State  institution — and  has  been  President  of  the  Touro  Hospital.  He  is 
a member  of  all  the  Jewish  charitable  associations  in  the  city,  and  takes  an  active 
interest  in  all  good  work. 

I'or  ten  consecutive  years  Mr.  Marks  has  visited  Europe  and  he  is  also  cjuite 
familiar  with  the  different  States  of  the  Pinion.  He  was  born  and  reared  in  the  Jewish 
faith,  but  lielieves  that  all  men  have  one  God.  He  is  a strong  adherent  to  the  Golden 
Rule  in  precept  and  practice.  Since  the  year  1868  Mr.  Marks  has  been  an  earnest 
Democrat,  but  he  is  ^now  in  favor  of  McKinley  and  will  cast  his  vote  for  that  gentleman 
in  the  fall  of  1896. 

Mr.  Marks  is  considered  a good  looking  man  and  firmness  and  decision  may  be 
traced  in  his  countenance.  His  firm  is  now  Ferd.  Marks  & Son,  and  they  do  the 
largest  fire  insurance  business  in  the  Southern  States.  On  the  23d  of  P'ebruary,  1869, 
Mr.  IMarks  married  Miss  P'anny  Bensadon,  and  they  have  six  children,  three  sons  and 
three  daughters. 


JOHN  CHARLES  WHITNER. 

A brilliant  examifie  of  the  self-made  American  citizen,  and  a grand  exemplification  of 
the  progress  that  can  be  made  l)y  one  determined  to  succeed  in  this  country  of 
unbounded  oppoVtunities,  is  shown  in  the  case  of  John  C.  Whitner,  who  comes  of 
Revolutionary  stock  and  in  whose  veins  flows  the  sturdy  and  persevering  blood  of  the 
German.  He  was  born  in  ltdgefield  County,  South  P'arolina,  September  23,  1831,  a 
son  of  Benjamin  V.  Whitner,  and  grandson  of  Josejdi  and  Elizabeth  (Shackelford) 
Whitner,  both  native  South  Carolinians,  joseph  served  under  Gen.  Marion  during  the 
Revolution,  enlisting  when  (juite  young.  klis  father  bore  the  name  of  John  Josef 
Wittner,  and  in  1757  came  to  this  country  from  Germany  and  settled  in  Charleston, 
South  Carolina  a son  of  Josef  Wittner,  a man  of  wealth  and  position  in  Germany. 

The  youthful  days  of  )ohn  C.  Whitner  were  s}-)ent  in  his  native  State  and  I'lorida, 
whither  his  parents  moved  when  he  was  cjuite  young,  and  after  a practical  common 
school  education  he  entered  the  P'ni\'ersity  of  Georgia  in  1850,  from  which  institution  he 


858 


T H E U N I)  R \V  R I T E R. 


was  graduated  three  years  later.  Soon  after  this  he  engaged  in  merchandising,  in  tlie 
fall  of  1856  was  appointed  agent  of  the  Georgia  Railroad  Bank  of  Augusta,  the  next 
year  became  agent  of  the  Farmers’  & Exchange  IFink  of  Charleston,  in  which  occupa- 
tions he  was  very  successful.  During  the  great  civil  war  he  was  on  the  staff  of  Gen. 
Howell  Cobb,  with  important  duties  to  perform,  and  in  1864  became  a stockholder  of 
the  “Daily  Register,”  of  which  he  was  made  editor-in-chief,  in  the  columns  of  which 
he  ably  defended  the  course  of  Jefferson  Davis  and  Gen.  Joseph  E.  Johnston.  After  a 
time  the  paper  was  compelled  to  leave  Atlanta  and  was  afterward  published  in 
Augusta,  Georgia. 

It  was  not  long  afterward  that  Major  Whitner  was  put  under  orders  to  leave, 
which  he  did  on  the  last  train  that  went  out  on  the  West  Point  road  before  Atlanta 
was  evacuated,  carrying  with  him  the  Confederate  archives.  He  made  many  changes 
of  base  and  ffnally  entrusted  those  valuable  documents  to  the  chancellor  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Georgia.  Although  the  w^ar  left  Major  Whitner  practically  penniless,  his 
energy,  ambition  and  determination  w^ere  by  no  means  crushed,  and  in  order  to  meet 
the  bare  necessities  of  life  he  became  a correspondent  to  the  “ NewWMrk  Herald.” 

Maj  or  Whitner’s  connection  wuth  insurance  began  not  long  after  he  commenced 
l)Lisiness  at  West  Point,  Georgia,  about  1858,  the  management  of  the  .Eitna  Insurance 
Company  at  that  point  l)eing  given  him  by  the  distinguished  insurance  journalist,  C.  C. 
nine,  special  agent  of  that  company  in  its  Western  Department,  and  although  his 
other  interests  at  that  time  were  very  large  and  demanded  much  attention,  insurance 
possessed  for  him  a great  attraction  and  he  dipped  deeply  into  every  branch  of  its 
mysteries.  His  friend,  J.  B.  Bennett,  manager  of  the  Hvtna  Insurance  Company,  Cin- 
cinnati, w'rote  him  to  investigate  and  report  upon  cotton  storage  and  cotton  fires,  wdiich 
he  did  satisfactorily.  After  his  removal  to  Atlanta  after  the  war,  a short  time  was 
devoted  to  the  sale  of  drugs,  w’hich  he  abandoned  after  a time  to  take  up  insurance 
and  it  was  not  long  before  a flourishing  business  w'as  being  done.  Later  he  was 
appointed  General  Agent  of  the  I lome  Insurance  Company  of  New  York,  was  later  given 
the  management  of  the  British  - America  Insurance  Company,  and  finally  that  of  the 
Merchants’  Insurance  Company  of  Newark,  wdiich  he  held  for  over  twelve  years.  The 
Amazon  of  Cincinnati  and  Hibernia  of  New'  Orleans  w'ere  also  for  a time  in  his  charge, 
but  since  1889  he  has  been  General  /\gent  of  the  Girard  P'ire  Insurance  Company 
of  Philadelphia,  wdiich  is  still  under  his  capable  management.  At  the  same  time  he  is 
General  Agent  of  the  Palatine  Insurance  Company  of  Itngland  and  of  the  Sun  Mutual 
Insurance  Comjiany  of  New'  Orleans.  Thus  it  may  be  seen  that  Major  Whitner  is 
one  of  the  oldest  and  ablest  of  Southern  undenvriters,  and  the  interests  of  those  he 
serves  has  ever  been  paramount  w'ith  him. 

September  28,  1853,  Major  Whitner  w'as  married  to  Miss  Sarah  M.,  daughter  of 
Col.  J.  A.  and  Sarah  (Rootes)  Cobb,  by  w'hom  he  has  seven  children.  He  is  a Christian 
gentleman  in  all  that  the  w'ords  imply,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  worthy  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church. 


THOMAS  IIENKY  GEEK. 


Thomas  Henry  Geer  was  born  at  Ledyard,  Conn.,  September  3,  1840.  He  is  a 
son  of  Captain  Nathaniel  Bellows  and  Julia  (Davis)  Geer,  who  reside  on  a portion  of  the 
Geer  ancestral  estate  in  what  is  now  the  town  of  Ledyard,  but  was  formerly  known  as 
New  London.  The  Geer  family  took  root  on  American  soil  in  1635,  at  which,  time 
George  Geer  came  thither  from  England. 

The  literary  education  of  Thomas  H.  Geer  v/as  acquired  in  the  common  schools 
of  Ledyard,  the  Irving  Institute  at  Tarrytown,  New  York,  and  the  State  Normal  School 
at  Westheld,  Massachusetts,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1859.  He 
soon  after  began  laboring  as  Principal  of  the  Haskell  Grammar  School  at  West  Glou- 
cester, Massachusetts.  ^ In  the  latter  part  of  i860  was  elected  and  served  as  Principal  of 
the  high  school  - of  Rockport,  Massachusetts,  for  about  one  year.  He  then  took  a 
special  classical  course  in  the  Free  Academv  of  Norwich,  Connecticut,  after  which  he 
became  a tutor  in  Burlington  College,  ifurlington.  New  York,  his  duties  begin- 
ning with  the  spring  term  of  1862  and  ending  with  the  summer  term  of  1865.  Ill 
health  then  caused  him  to  seek  other  occupation,  and  in  April,  1866,  he  became  Special 
Agent  of  the  Charter  Oak  Life  Insurance  Company  of  Hartford,  Connecticut,  in  Eastern 
Massachusetts.  In  October  of  that  year  he  became  Resident  Agent  of  the  company,  at 
Cleveland,  Ohio,  and  later  its  General  Agent  for  Northeast  Ohio.  About  this  time  Mr. 
Geer  also  engaged  in  fire  insurance,  and  in  January,  1866,  he  was  appointed  Agent  at 
Cleveland  for  the  Guaranty  Eire  Insurance  Company  of  New  hMrk,  and  on  March  i, 
1876,  purchased  the  fire  insurance  business  of  Newberry  & Gardner,  who  represented  the 
Commercial  Union  Assurance  Company  of  London,  the  Rhode  Island  Underwriters’ Associa- 
tion of  Providence,  and  the  Amazon  and  Enterprise  Insurance  companies  of  Cincinnati, 
Ohio.  March  r,  1877,  (Eudner  retired,  Mr.  Geer  continuing  until  1891,  when  he  ad- 
mitted his  cousin,  Ered  S.  Geer,  who  had  been  chief  clerk  in  the  office,  to  a partnership. 

Thomas  H.  Geer  & Company  how  rejiresent  the  following  companies  : The  Com- 

mercial Union  Assurance  Company  of  London  since  hlarch  i,  1876  ; the  Rhode  Island 
Underwriters  of  Providence  since  hlarch  i,  1876:  tlpe  American  Eire  of  New  York  since 
April,  1879;  the  Lion  Fire  of  London  from  January.  1881:  the  Sun  Insurance  office  from 
June,  1885;  the  Pennsylvania  Fire  Insurance  Company  from  July,  1892:  the  Philadel- 
phia Underwriters  from  January  i,  1895:  and  Mr.  Geer  has  represented  the  New  York- 
Life  of  New  York,  the  Standard  of  London,  the  Fireman’s  Fund  of  California,  the 
Imperial  of  London,  the  Buffalo  German  of  Buffalo,  New  York,  and  the  Western 
Underwriters.  The  Mutual  Benefit  Life  Insurance  Company  of  Newark,  New  Jersev, 
has  been  represented  by  him  in  Cleveland  since  hlay  i,  1S85,  hut  the  most  of  his 
attention  has  been  given  to  fire  insurance. 

hir.  Geer  has  always  been  interested  in  associations  organized  for  the  purpose  of 
benefiting  the  various  branches  of  insurance,  and  has  been  Secretar}-  and  President  of 
the  Cleveland  Life  Underwriters’  Association  ; Secretary  of  the  Life  Underwriters’ 
Association  of  the  State  of  Ohio;  President  of  the  Cleveland  Board  of  Underwriters  in 
1894-95,  of  which  he  had  previously  been  Treasurer  and  \dce-I^resident. 

Mr.  Geer  was  reared  in  the  Episcopal  faith,  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years  was 
confirmed  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  John  Williams,  Bishop  of  Connecticut.  He  is  an  active 
member  of  Trinity  Church,  Cleveland,  and  has  been  a member  of  its  vested  choir 
for  the  past  thirteen  years.  Politically  he  has  always  been  a Republican.  He  was 
married  June  30,  1868,  to  Fanny  Halsey  Brewster,  who  is  a direct  descendant  of,  and 
the  eighth  generation  from,  Elder  William  Brewster,  pastor  of  the  Mayflower  Pilgrims. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Geer  have  one  daughter,  Mary  Brewster,  wife  of  Edwin  L.  Thurston, 
a patent  attorney,  of  Cleveland.  3,;^ 


I N I)  E X . 


^•Titna 

Ainei'ican.  Boston 

American  Fire.  1 ’liiladeli)hia 

Arnold,  F.  W 

Aiwood.  H.  F 

Bailey,  James  1) 

Ban<)'s,  Franklin 

Barbour.  A.  L 

Barley,  J.  W 

Barry,  Charles  H 

Barton,  Win.  T 

Bartow,  C'harles  .S 

Beatli,  Robert  B 

Beddall,  F.  F 

Beddall.  E.  K 

Belden,  Henry  K 

Belden,  .1.  B 

Bell,  Wm 

Bennett.  F.  C 

Bennett,  J.  B 

Bennett,  Martin 

Benson,  R.  1) 

Bissell,  (Jeo.  F 

Bissell,  R.  M 

Blossom,  Geo.  W 

Blossom,  H.  >1 

Boardman,  Geo.  C 

Brewster,  .las.  H 

Brewster.  Win.  FI 

Brown,  M.  O 

Brown,  T.  Y 

Burcliell,  Geo.  W 

Cambridge  Fire  Insurance  Co 

Case.  Cliarles  FF 

Case,  1<1.  B 

Cary,  F'lufrene 

Chard,  Thos.  S 

Chase,  Chas.  E 

Cluise,  Geo.  L 

Citizens’  Fnsurance  ( 'o.,  New  York 

Clark.  J.  J 

Clark,  W.  B 

Cofran.  J.  W^.  G 

Colley,  F.  A 

Collins,  S.  T 

Commercial  Union  Insurance  Co..  . 

Commonwealth  Insurance  Co 

(Vmcordia  Insurance  Co 

Cook.  Frederick 

Courtney.  .1.  J 

Cowles.  E.  B 

Crandall.  Geo.  L 

Crawford.  Geo.  R 

Critchell.  R.  S 

Cunninji'ham,  W.  IF 

Damon,  A.  W 

I)e  Camp,  J.  M 

Delaware  Insurance  Co 

Detroit  F.  & M 

De  Wolf,  J.  H 

Dickson.  Robt 

Dornin,  Geo.  D 

Dornin,  Geo.  W' 

Downino-.  .F.  h’ 

Driyys.  Marshalls 

Ducat.  A.  C 

Dudley.  Jas.  F’ 

Dudley.  W.  W 

Dunlo]).  ( 'hits.  D 

Dutton,  Wm.  .1 

Eaton.  Henry  W 

Eddy,  I.I.  C 

Fkjuitabic  I’’.  & M.,  Frovidence. . . . 
F’arra^ut  Insurance  Co 


I’.\GE 


PAGE 


20 

;!2 

;h 

52 

214 

144 

i:i5 

;i.42 

104 

bS(i 

150 

42 

22!) 

202 

•[•)- 

IK) 

27(5 

2S2 

24 

;s4,s 

;ii8 

1S4 

10() 

114 

108 

J40 

20 

;I22 

ISO 

2.'i4 

00 

204 

:i:ii 

208 

000 

88 

74 

100 

100 

.88 

52 

21 

112 

852 

74 

240 

42 

40 

208 

250 

810 

1.54 

282 

140 

00 

217 

200 

40 

.52 

202 

81(i 

172 

170 

1.88 

2.80 

180 

•)•) 

278 

202 

70 


Faymonville.  Bernard 72 

F’ield,  Geo.  P 808 

Fitchburg  Fire  Insurance  Co 884 

l<’ire  Association  of  Philadel]>hia  . . 50 

Fireman's  Fund 01 

Fisher.  Geo.  51 284 

I’rancis,  Wm.  A 158 

Freeman.  Nat.  B 840 


Garrigue.  R.  H 

Geer,  Thos  H 

German-American  Insuratice  Co. . 

Gillett.  A.  S 

Girard  Insurance  Co 

Goetztnan , Frederick 

Goodwin.  Warren  F 

Gray.  H.  1' 

Greenwich  Fnsurance  Co  

Griffin,  5iatthew 


1.50 

801 

88 

84 

•S4 

212 

82.S 

00 

02 

.841 


Hall.  Heni-y  H 828 

Hall,  Sanford  .1 218 

Harbeck,  Eugene 104 

Harding,  x\.  J 220 

Hanover  Fnsurance  Co !)4 

Hartford  Fire  Fnsurance  Co 08 

Harvey.  Geo.  5F 158 

Haven.  Chas.  D ■.  . . 270 

Heald.  Daniel  A 120 

Hanshaw.  W.  W 82.5 

Herkness.  FFenj.  T 58 

Heywood.  F^.  1^ 110 

Fline.  C.  C .'142 

Hollingshead,  Chas.  S 220 

Holman.  Chas.  J 2.50 

Home  Fnsurance  Co  . New  York. . . 120 

Home  5Futual.  San  F'rancisco 184 

Flosmer.  R.  W 82 

Imperial  Insurance  Co 2.50 

Insuratice  Co.  of  N.  A 180 

Irvin.  E.  C .50 

Ives,  Stejihen  I) 18.5 


.Fames,  F’red.  S lOli 

Janvier,  Chas 280 

Kellogg,  Chas  W 70 

Fvnowles,  Chas.  R 140 

Ivnowles,  Clarence 188 


F^ane,  1.  Remsen 04 

Law,  Geo.  W 200 

Law.  John-H 2!) 4 

Letton.  T.  W’  288 

Levison,  J.  B 82 

Fhon  Insurance  Co .810 

Fjondon  and  Lancashire 272 

Fjittle.  Chas.  C 102 

Liverpool  & F^ondon  & Globe 201 

Loewentluil.  R.  A 150 

r_.yon.  Geo.  M 1.82 

Macdonald,  Wm 270 

Alagill,  W.  C 8.54 

.Manchester  Fire  Assurance  Co.  . . 278 

Marks,  Ferdinand .8.50 

Maris.  Richard .80 

Mass.  Mutual  Insurance  Union....  820 

McCray.  W.  B 142 

5FcFlwaine,  Jr..  A.  G 274 

Mcrjean.  Geo.  IF 42 

AFercantile.  Boston .82 

Merchants'  Insurance  Co..  Newark  1.5() 

Merchants' Ins.  Co..  F’rovidence. . 1.50 
Merrill.  Geo.  S 288 


204  Michigan  F'.  & M.  Insurance  Co. . . 
250  ' Mims.  FJvingston.  ..... 

,52  j iMilwaukee  Mechanics'. 

.54  1 Montgomery,  Thos.  H.  . 


1.52 

02 

1.54 

84 


Mullins,  Chas.  F 252 

Mutual  F'ire,  New  York 150 

National.  Hartford 100 

New  Flngland  Burglary  Ins.  Co.  . . . 170 

Nichols,  James. . . . ! ](i2 

Norcross,  Aniasa 884 

Ogden.  Henry  Y 207 

Osmun.  Daniel  (' 2(i0 

F’aige.  Jno.  C 201 

Palache,  Whitney 118 

Palatine  Insurance  Co 280 

IMulding.  Tattnall 4.S 

l^ennsylvania  F''ire  Insurance  Co . . . 1X2 

IHienix  of  Brooklyn 102 

l-’hamix  of  Hartftn-d ,.  200 

Pierce.  James  F' 240 

Fhatt.  Chas 1.8.x 

I’ope.  T.  Fldward 100 

l^rovidence.  Washington 202 

Prussian  National 2.X.X 

(Jueen  Insurance  Co 2o4 

Ransom.  C.  M 844 

Richards.  FI.  G 108 

Richardson.  Chas 170 

liochester  German 208 

Rollo.  W.  FI 80 

Rollo.  W.  F 88 

Royal  Flxchange  Assurance  Co.  ..  . 81.5 

Royal  Insurance  Co 200 

Koyce.  P.  C loi 

Scottish  F^nion  and  National .818 

Sewell.  Chas 248 

Skilton.  1).  W.  (' 200 

Smith,  Atwood 2(>4 

Smith,  R.  J 224 

Simpson.  A.  Fv 78 

Snow.  E.  G 120 

S])encer.  Geo.  W 28 

Sitringheld  F5  and  M 2Ki 

Staples.  I).  J 08 

Stillman.  B.  R 104 

Stockdell,  H.  C 108 

Tenney.  John 804 

Traders'  Insurance  Co 228 

Tupiter.  S.  Y 200 

Turnbull.  Thos U)4 

Fhiderhill.  J.  (,) 282 

Union  Fnsurance  Co.,  l^hila 220 

Union  Assurance  Soci'ty  of  London.  .'122 

United  F'iremen's.  Phila 220 

FTltham.  R.  F' .880 

Walker,  H.  FF 128 

Walton.  FI.  A 40 

Warfield,  R.  Einorv 800 

Washbnrn.  .Fohn  IF 122 

Watt.  Rolla  Y .812 

AVeinmann.  Louis .XO 

Westchester  Insuram-e  Co 2.'i0 

Wheelock,  H.  S I.XO 

Whitney.  E.  H 1,52 

AVhitner.  .1.  C 85)) 

Williamsburg  City  Insurance  Co. . 280 

Wilson.  I'ldgar  S ,X0 

AVollaeger,  Gustav 4)> 

Wood.  Geo 802 

Wood.  AYm 284 

AYorcester  F’ire  Insurance  Co 830 

AVray.  A.  H 248 

AA'yman.  AA'.  FF 80 

Yarnall,  Chas.  H .50 

A'onng,  Geo.  S.  A 118 


The  EnKravin^s  in  tliis  Work  were  made  by 
J.  MAN/  CO..  CHICAGO. 


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